Brady ruled out Patriots return on night of Kraft meeting
Tom Brady mentally cut the cord on the New England Patriots two days before he agreed in principle to a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"It was really the night that I stopped by and spoke with (owner) Mr. (Robert) Kraft," he said Tuesday on his introductory conference call, according to CBS Boston's Michael Hurley. "And we spoke and we had a great conversation. And I just wanted to express what he's meant to me in my life, and we spoke with coach (Bill) Belichick at the same time. We were at different locations and we talked to him. It was a great conversation. Got a chance to talk to Jonathan Kraft as well. All three of those guys have been involved in so many important decisions in my life, career-related, personal-related."
After 20 seasons and six Super Bowl championships in New England, Brady officially took his talents to Tampa on March 20, inking a two-year contract that reportedly contains $50 million guaranteed.
The quarterback posted a statement on social media the morning after he met with Kraft, announcing he wouldn't return to the Patriots.
Characteristically, Brady was otherwise mum when asked about his exit from New England.
"I don't want to talk about the past because that's not relevant to what's important in my future and what's going on this offseason for me," he said.
The 42-year-old did note he wasn't disappointed the Patriots didn't try harder to keep him.
"There's nobody who's been a greater fan of the Patriots than me," he said. "I have nothing but total respect and love. I'm so grateful to Mr. Kraft, and the organization, and coach Belichick, and all the coaches and obviously all of my teammates."
When asked about Kraft, who suggested after the departure that Brady left Foxborough of his own volition, Brady said he's "not responsible" for those comments.
"I think Mr. Kraft has been a great influence in my life and I'm so grateful for the two decades and I referenced that the other day - it's been an amazing thing for my family," he said.
Brady left the Patriots as the winningest quarterback in NFL history.