Rex Ryan: Players went to Pats for Brady, not Belichick

Tom Brady was the major attraction for players joining the Patriots, not the team's legendary head coach. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Rex Ryan: Players signed with Patriots because of Tom Brady, not Bill Belichick

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/24/21

Without Tom Brady at quarterback, the New England Patriots missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2008. Ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, NFL analyst Rex Ryan took the opportunity to throw some major shade toward Bill Belichick.

According to Ryan, players wanted to play in New England to play with Brady, not to be coached by Belichick. He also said that the Patriots won because of Brady.

Here's the video of Rex Ryan's comments. He added that Brady is the reason they won, that it's why he attracted those players.pic.twitter.com/cF5vRgdjgn
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 24, 2021

Believe it or not, Ryan's comments very well could be the truth. Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2018 season and only decided to come out of retirement this year to play with Brady in Tampa Bay. If the star quarterback stayed in New England, Gronkowski probably would've stayed in retirement.

Antonio Brown, who spent time with Brady and the Patriots, also followed the 43-year-old to Tampa Bay. Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy joined the Bucs on cheap deals once Brady was in town.

Belichick is one of the greatest coaches in the history of football, but, again, he failed to make the playoffs in his first season without Brady. If players avoid signing in New England in the future and Belichick keeps finding minimal success, Ryan's comments will seem even more relevant.

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