Is There Really a Rift Between Brady, Belichick and Kraft?

The Ringer's Bill Simmons tries to separate fact from fiction.

Bill Belichick
Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The Patriots’ most famous fan, Bill Simmons, tackles last week’s bombshell Brady/Belichick/Kraft story in a new column for The Ringer. Though Simmons doesn’t directly doubt Seth Wickersham’s reporting on the rift between the owner, coach, and quarterback, he ventures some alternative theories to what could be happening inside the Patriots organization. First, he believes that the Jimmy Garoppolo trade was not demanded by Robert Kraft, as Wickersham reported, but was rather Belichick’s own decision, as the team was virtually out of options. As for the end of the Patriots dynasty, Simmons casts a less assured assessment, arguing that it’s reasonable to think Belichick may depart before Brady becomes unfit for Super Bowl contention. Either way, the 21st Century’s most accomplished NFL team isn’t done yet.

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