Analyzing the alleged feud between Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels

According to a recent report, Tom Brady left the New England Patriots due to a strained relationship with his offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels.

The “fake news” continues to surround Tom Brady and his decision to leave the New England Patriots during free agency this offseason.

It’s fair to say that both the careers of Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels in New England are linked together. Brady was drafted in 2000 and McDaniels began his professional coaching career in 2001. Since then, they have built a strong working relationship that has included advancing to nine Super Bowls (and winning six) in their 17 years of working together.

Throughout Brady’s 20-year tenure with the Patriots, it’s believed that he had earned the right to input his thoughts in regards to game-planning and the decisions being made about the offense.

I mean, we are talking about Tom Brady — the greatest quarterback of all time — after all.

But according to Gary Myers — who has been covering the NFL since 1978 and most recently with the New York Daily News — seems to believe otherwise. It was first reported on Monday by Myers that Brady ultimately left the team because of a disintegrating relationship with McDaniels.

Despite the common but yet occasional little jawing match on the sideline that comes with being a quarterback and an offensive coordinator, Brady and McDaniels have always shown a great amount of respect for each other.

This is what Myers had to say about Brady and McDaniels’ relationship:

"“Hard to present an order of why Tom Brady didn’t want to return to Patriots. But one thing has been very much overlooked, according to an excellent source: His deteriorating relationship with OC Josh McDaniels. Tom was worn out by Josh after all these years. That surprised me.”"

Then on Tuesday, the report was later followed up by WCVB’s sports reporter, Chris Gasper, who took to Twitter to say that a source told him that Myers’ report was in fact accurate and that Brady felt as if he was being “phased out” of the offense by McDaniels.

"“Gary is dead on here. The professional/personal relationship between Brady and McDaniels was more strained than publicly portrayed, a source told me. Brady found it frustrating that Josh wouldn’t install plays TB12 wanted in the game plan last season. It felt like a phasing out.”"

The most interesting part to stir up to the surface from all of this is that it never appeared that Brady and McDaniels were dealing with the great amount of friction necessary that would warrant Brady to want to leave the team.

In fact, Myers’ report even triggered a public response from Brady via his Instagram, per The Boston Glove’s Christopher Price:

"“Stop this nonsense! Please be more responsible with reporting. 19 years together and brothers for life.”"

Brady has made it no secret that he has become more dissuaded by the media and their lack of “professionalism” when it comes to reporting — this just happens to be another example of that.

Do I think there was tension between Brady and McDaniels? Yes.

Do I think it was because of a lack of talent and an unproductive offense? Yes.

But it was more of the constant “Patriot Way” type of mindset that ultimately pushed Brady out of New England after 20 years.

At the end of the day, Brady is a competitor and strives to do even better the next day. Having disagreements with his offensive coordinator isn’t enough to make him leave the team and the city that he built his legacy in.

NBC Sports Patriots insider Tom E. Curran — who is more plugged in than anybody with regards to the Patriots — believes that it is out of line to call the relationship between Brady and McDaniels “deteriorating.”

I tend to always go with the reporter who is involved with the team, so I side with Curran on this.

Lastly, the honest and heartfelt statement that McDaniels released about Brady when he learned the news that his quarterback would not be returning to the Patriots proves otherwise of a tarnished relationship between the great duo:

"“I have so much gratitude for Tom Brady. He has made me a better coach and more importantly a better person. He has always been genuinely kind and caring to me and my family. Yet at the same time, I have never met anyone as demanding and relentless in his pursuit of improvement, perfection and championships. His work ethic and drive propelled our offense and our team to perform at the very highest level throughout his career. He represented all of us with class and integrity. We will miss his passion and intensity, his character and wisdom, and his preparation and diligence. I will miss all the meetings, FaceTimes, emails and texts in our pursuit of a good play. He always performed his best in the most critical times under the most significant pressure. I have never coached a tougher player in my career.”“Although I feel a great sadness knowing that he is leaving the Patriots, I am grateful for the years we were together and beyond blessed to call him my friend. He has made an indelible impact on my life and career and I will forever be in his debt.”“He defined what it means to be a ‘Patriot.’ He is the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL. I wish him nothing but great happiness and success in all that he does. There will never be another Tom Brady.”"

What do you think? Are Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels alright, or was a deteriorating relationship one of the main reasons Brady left New England for Tampa Bay this offseason?