Tom Brady has lauded his former coach Bill Belichick for his exceptional ability to get the New England Patriots in the right headspace before games.
The NFL icon, who's transitioning into a broadcasting role with Fox Sports as their lead NFL analyst, recently appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. There, he showcased his deep understanding of the game and player psychology.
Brady, who clinched six Super Bowl titles alongside Belichick, forming one of the most formidable duos in American Football, opened up about their dynamic.
Brady praised Belichick's unmatched knack for team preparation, saying: "I think the answer would be no. And I think that's where Bill was actually so great. And no one saw him in those moments like we did," when Cowherd questioned if Belichick's intensity ever influenced the team's composure.
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He continued: "And Saturday night, we were so prepared and so focused, we were the opposite of tight. We were always relaxed because we had the answers to the test."
Further discussing his approach to leading the Patriots' offense and the strategic choices made during games, Brady explained, "I knew that I went through the call sheet, and let's say we had 150 calls on the call sheet," giving insight into the meticulous planning that underpinned their success.
"There was a meeting at a squad meeting at 8 o'clock. I would meet with the quarterback starting at 6.30 in the offense quarter. We'd go through every single play on the call sheet, and we'd do exactly what we did, okay? This is a play. This is the run. What's the one thing that can mess this run-up? Oh, a safety blitz off the right side. Okay, great. What do you want to do if that happens? So I'd walk to the line of scrimmage. That call was made. I'd break the huddle. I'd look to the line of scrimmage. I'd say, okay, the only problem I have on this play is if the safety's blitzing off the right side. And then I would just look for it. Oh, and he only did it, let's say, 5% of the time."
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 24: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots speaks to head coach Bill Belichick in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (Getty)"So most coaches would just say, I just run the play, whatever. If they get lucky and call at the same time, one for them. And that's not how I played, because that one play could mean everything. So I would say, no, no, no, no. If it's a 5% chance it could happen, what should I do if it happens? So we're all on the same page."
Despite a legendary career in New England, the end of Belichick's reign with the Patriots was a tough watch. In 2023, they were among the worst performers in the league - but it did allow the franchise to pick up Drake Maye out of North Carolina to potentially be its new star QB.
Despite receiving a grand farewell from the Patriots, Belichick has yet to secure another head coach position, even after participating in the Atlanta Falcons' interview process. He has since been appearing on TV, earning accolades for his insightful commentary during NFL Draft night on The Pat McAfee Show.
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