Bill Belichick on Patriots great Tom Brady: ‘The best career of all time’ in the NFL

Tom Brady went on to win a Super Bowl without Bill Belichick, but the two New England Patriots great will forever be linked in NFL history.

With the Patriots set to honor Brady this Sunday ahead of the team’s Week 1 battle against the Philadelphia Eagles, Belichick was asked about his favorite TB12 moment while the two were together during their 20-year dynasty run.  The answer he gave on his weekly appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show on Monday is an answer every Patriots fan should love.

"“Well, there are six of them that come to mind,” Belichick answered, via WEEI.  “Can’t say enough about Tom – what he’s meant to this organization, what he’s meant to me personally.  He just epitomized everything you would want in a player – his work ethic, his ability to handle and process a lot of things on and off the field.  His critical playmaking ability, instinctiveness and anticipation and decision-making at the most critical times in the biggest games in the team’s history not to mention the seasons.”"

In a tribute to the six Lombardi trophies the two won together with the Patriots, Belichick’s answer here is perfect because each of those moments were special and unique.  But there were obviously so many more moments that helped defined the greatest quarterback of all-time based on the accomplishments.

Patriots dynasty defined by the Bill Belichick, Tom Brady relationship

There were many players who put on a Patriots’ uniform during that time who helped define the Patriots Way, but Tom Brady was in every way what Belichick wanted in a player.  He wouldn’t admit that till now, but there is no doubt the No. 199 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft helped shape Belichick’s career as a coaching legend and no matter what a critic tell you, Belichick was the fuel that pushed Brady’s career.

"“For so many years, he set a standard of daily performance which turned into yearly performance which turned into not only a Hall of Fame career, but probably the best career of all time in the National Football League,” Belichick continued.“He did it on a day-to-day basis.  I’d say that’s really the biggest thing about Tom that’s so impressive is what you got from him every day was that same level of commitment, work ethic, performance, attention to detail and inquisitiveness and coachability.  Tom’s always looking to get better, improve and find ways to be a little bit better than he was no matter how good he was.”"

If playing to a high-level through the age of 45 wasn’t enough to define that, the Patriots dominance with him under center not only set a standard but will be hard to replace as Bill Belichick is finding out in life without Tom Brady.

Perhaps the team honoring the legend this Sunday will not only add closure to the TB12 era in Foxborough, but also start a new beginning with a revitalized Mac Jones leading the way.