Getty Images.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick combined to form the greatest quarterback-head coach duo in NFL history.
Brady left the New England Patriots four years ago, and on Thursday, it was Belichick’s turn, as the team and coach agreed to part ways after 24 seasons.
There will be countless tributes to Belichick in the coming days, but perhaps none as meaningful as Brady’s, which the former QB shared on Instagram this afternoon.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL,” Brady wrote. “I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”
Brady went on to provide a snippet of all Belichick was able to do on and off the field during their 20 seasons together.
He was a great leader for the organization, and for all of the players who played for him. We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate. he worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities. He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB.
Together, Brady and Belichick combined to win six Super Bowls, nine AFC titles, 17 AFC East crowns and well over 200 regular season games together.
Belichick will likely be coaching elsewhere in 2024, but it will be very hard to see him on the sideline in another team’s gear.
It is truly the end of an era.