After weeks of speculation and rumors, we now know that Tom Brady will not play for the New England Patriots in 2020 as he posted on social media on Tuesday morning.
Brady’s departure obviously ends an era: the 42-year-old joined the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, and was elevated to the starting position the following year after an injury to Drew Bledsoe. He never looked back and won the Super Bowl in his first season under center — five more would follow and elevate the former draft day afterthought to the status of the greatest quarterback of all time.
Now, Brady will try to add to his legacy elsewhere.
The Patriots, meanwhile, will have to carry the entirety of his $13.5 million signing bonus proration on their 2020 salary cap and also need to work with another quarterback moving forward. Jarrett Stidham appears to be the front-runner to succeed the future Hall of Famer given his experience in the system and the upside he showed in 2019, but the team adding a veteran outside option via free agency or trade also seems to be possible.
Either way, the times they are a-changin’ in New England.