Head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have been together with the New England Patriots since 2000, winning five Super Bowl rings since the 2001 season. Their relationship has been depicted as more than just a coach and a player, but as father and son. However, commentator Skip Bayless told Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed” that he is convinced Brady doesn’t want to play for Belichick anymore. Bayless made the comment after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the 40-year-old Brady still hasn’t officially committed to playing in 2018. The report has added more drama to the Patriots’ offseason.
Brady missed the start of the Patriots’ voluntary offseason workout program and is expected not to be a regular participant when he returns from Qatar, where he’s doing ambassadorial work for Best Buddies International. Bayless said he’s convinced that Brady wants to play three or four more years with the Patriots, but not under Belichick. According to Bayless, if he has the authority to run the Patriots’ franchise, then he will send Belichick into the sunset. Aside from Brady, the Patriots only have veteran Brian Hoyer in their quarterback depth chart. The Patriots are expected to take a quarterback at some point in the 2018 NFL Draft, but with Brady’s future in doubt, they are anticipated to get a signal-caller in the opening rounds.
The Patriots have two first-round picks – No. 23 and 31 – and two second-round picks that they could use to take a possible heir-apparent for Brady.
Brady still uncommitted in 2018
Multiple sources told Schefter that Brady has yet to commit to playing in 2018, but he is expected to return for the coming season. One source told Schefter that he’s sure that Brady will be playing football for the foreseeable future, but he’s not aware of things away from the football field.
Another source said that some people around Brady want him to retire, including his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Earlier, Bundchen declared that she will not interfere with Brady’s decision about his playing career.
Patriots interested in QB Josh Rosen
During a press conference, Belichick admitted that the Patriots must know the 2018 NFL Draft from top to bottom.
With two first-round picks in his possession, Belichick has the chance to move up to get the player they need. A source told NESN.com that the Patriots are interested in UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who is expected to be selected in the early part of the first round. If Rosen is available at No. 9, the Patriots could swing a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers could agree to a trade considering that the Patriots shipped them quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for just a second-round pick. Rosen is considered one of the top four quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft.