In a move to iron out things that led to unwanted tension and clear the air in preparation for next season, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft met with head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. While the meeting helped ease the tension, Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal reported that “things still aren’t completely settled” between the three top personalities within the Patriots organization. However, Bedard clarified that the meeting was a step in the right direction as the Patriots aim to recover from their bitter 41-33 Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While they are both focused on winning, the tension between Belichick and Brady will remain, especially with the quarterback’s trainer Alex Guerrero still very much in play in terms of the signal-caller’s health and wellness through the TB12 Sports Therapy Center. With the TB12 Sports Therapy Center, which was co-founded by Brady and Guerrero, located just outside Gillette Stadium, several Patriots players have been going there for consultation and treatment. The move could lead to conflict with Belichick, who wants his players to consult the team’s training staff rather than seek outside help. Last season, Belichick stripped Guerrero of some team privileges, including staying on sidelines during games and riding team flights.

According to reports, the move did not sit well with Brady and could lead to a crack in their long relationship. However, Belichick and Brady denied the reports while Guerrero said he has a good relationship with the Patriots mentor.

Butler issue still lingers within Patriots

Also, some players, including Brady and tight end Martellus Bennett, were unhappy about Belichick’s decision to bench cornerback Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII.

Butler recently signed a five-year contract worth $61 million with the Tennessee Titans, but the controversy surrounding his benching continues to hound Belichick. Recently, Belichick was asked it, but he refused to provide details, saying he respects Butler as a player and called him a great competitor on the field. Kraft, for his part, said he trusts Belichick’s football knowledge and personal expertise to make such decisions.

There were reports that Butler’s on-the-field struggles or off-the-field issues led Belichick to bench him. However, Belichick did not make the call on his own as he was backed by the coaching staff.

Butler speaks about benching

In an interview with Sports Illustrated after signing a massive deal with the Titans, Butler said he almost confronted Belichick and then-defensive coordinator Matt Patricia about his benching during Super Bowl LII. Butler also said that the Patriots could have won Super Bowl LII had he played against the Eagles. However, two unnamed Patriots players defended Belichick’s decision to bench Butler, according to Mike Giardi of NBC Sports Boston. One player told Giardi that Butler “should have focused on what mattered those 2 weeks” while the other said, “we didn't like the decision but it wasn't without merit.”
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED