Just before Tom Brady announced his (second) retirement from the NFL, there were rumors that he may continue to play but leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One rumor had him heading back to the team he spent almost his entire pro career with — the New England Patriots.
But their owner, Robert Kraft, shot down that rumor while praising his current quarterback, Mac Jones, during an appearance on Fox Business News.
Robert Kraft on whether he tried to get Tom Brady to return to the Patriots. He tells Neil on @FoxBusiness: “We’re blessed to have a great young quarterback in Mac Jones. I’m a strong believer in him and his development.” pic.twitter.com/8eOr7FqLhj
— Neil Cavuto (@TeamCavuto) February 10, 2023
Brady was a sixth-round draft pick of New England back in 2000, and although he spent his first season and traded as a backup to Drew Bledsoe, fortune smiled broadly upon him when Bledsoe got hurt during the 2001 season.
The rest, as they say, was history, as Brady led the team to nine Super Bowl appearances and six world championships, then added another diamond ring to his collection during his first season with the Bucs in 2020.
When the Patriots drafted Jones in 2021, there was hope that he would be their next franchise QB and that, at the very least, he would get them into the playoffs and keep them there year after year.
While he did take them to the postseason as a rookie, this year, it became clear to people outside of New England that he simply doesn’t have the tools to be a great signal-caller.
His completion percentage, touchdown passes and passer rating all fell in 2022 compared to his rookie campaign.
Jones missed three games with a sprained ankle, during which Bailey Zappe filled in and did quite well.
After going 8-9 and missing the playoffs this year, New England will look to get back on track in 2023.
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