Stephen A. Smith questions whether HC Bill Belichick’s ‘ego’ was the reason behind Tom Brady’s exit from the Patriots

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick duo dominated the league for nearly two decades.

Stephen A. Smith questions whether HC Bill Belichick’s ‘ego’ was the reason behind Tom Brady’s exit from the Patriots

Stephen A. Smith (L- Getty Images), and Tom Brady (12) with HC Bill Belichick (R-Getty Images)

The dynamic duo of ingenious head coach Bill Belichick and underdog Tom Brady helped the New England Patriots create a dynasty in the NFL. Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowl rings during their time together in New England. However, as the saying goes, All good things must come to an end.” Brady and Bill split back in 2020, as the 15-time Pro Bowl QB left the Pats to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And now, more than three years after the split, during the recent episode of the sports show First Take, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith questions how much Bill Belichick’s ego played a part in the ugly split between two great football minds.

YouTube video

“When you (Bill Belichick) were in Cleveland before you ever knew who Tom Brady was, you were 36-and-44 winning 45% of your games,” said Smith. “We also have to take account of this, Bill Belichick is 25-and-25 since Tom Brady left without a playoff win.”

FS Video

“Where it becomes more egregious and his legacy is in danger of being tainted, remember, Tom Brady ultimately wanted to leave because Bill Belichick went ‘Kiss the rings’,” said Smith. “Even Mr. [Robert] Kraft and others within the New England Organization said themselves that if Bill Belichick had wanted Tom Brady to stay, Tom Brady would’ve stayed”

“When we talk about Bill Belichick, you don’t question his football acumen… We get all of that. What you do question is what role did ego play?” question Smith about the Brady and Belichick split.

Ever since the duo split, Brady has won two division titles, one conference title, and one Super Bowl ring with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the other hand, the Patriots under HC Belichick have yet to clinch a division title or win a playoff game since the 15-time Pro Bowler left him.

Related: Chiefs’ hot owner Gracie Hunt sets the internet on fire with her ‘stunning’ looks at the rain-hit Canadian Grand Prix

Stephen A. Smith doesn’t believe Tom Brady is the greatest athlete

Stephen A. Smith and Tom Brady
Stephen A. Smith (L- ESPN) and Tom Brady (R- Getty Images)

The Patriots icon, Tom Brady, is widely considered the greatest football player of all time. He holds multiple quarterback records in both the regular season and the postseason in the National Football League.

Furthermore, Brady also holds the record for most Pro Bowl seasons and most Super Bowl victories. Most people consider Brady the greatest athlete of our generation, but ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith doesn’t share the same sentiment.

During his recent appearance on comedian Andrew Schulz‘s Flagrant podcast, Smith explained how Brady is not an athlete but simply an elite passer of football who had an elite football mind.

Furthermore, Smith went one step further to claim that Tom Brady isn’t even the greatest QB of all time. Smith quoted Mike Francesa and claimed that the greatest regular-season quarterback is Peyton Manning and the greatest Super Bowl QB is Joe Montana. As a result, Smith refused to crown the three-time league MVP quarterback, Brady, as the greatest athlete in the world.

In case missed it:

Do follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter