Was Tom Brady’s support of Antonio Brown the last straw for Bill Belichick?

Save your Twitter psychology takes, nobody needs to hear them. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown has long been troubled based on years of past behavior, and it all culminated on Sunday when he took off his jersey and pads before storming off to the locker room shirtless at MetLife Stadium.

After the Bucs’ narrow win over the New York Jets, head coach Bruce Arians told the media that Brown was no longer with the team. Gone. Some might say that’s long overdue since the fake vaccine card probably should have done him in, but you know who rules the roost in Tampa — it’s Tom Brady.

During his final year with the Patriots, there’s no doubt Brady played a role in bringing Brown to New England after the wideout forced his way out of Oakland. But Brown lasted just one game before being released once he was accused of sexual assault.

Belichick is typically known for his willingness to bring in players with character issues (or those who are wrongfully criticized) and turning them around. But it’s evident Brown’s rap sheet was out of his league, and we can’t help but question if Brady’s support for AB eroded the relationship with Belichick, further contributing to TB12’s departure when the season ended.

Did Tom Brady’s support of Antonio Brown erode relationship with Bill Belichick?

When the Patriots (rightfully) released Brown, reports surfaced that Brady wasn’t happy with the decision. Here’s what NBC Sports’ Tom E. Curran wrote at the time:

"“I was told the practice performance of Brady when Brown was on the field was almost perfect. There were more than a half-dozen plays Brown made that were breathtaking. He was beyond anything Brady ever worked with.“Brady was trying to help Brown stabilize. He disagrees with the business decision made by Robert Kraft to jettison Brown.”"

You know the rest of the story. The Patriots never really got on track and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Tennessee Titans. Their offense suffered greatly for whatever reason and it’s clear Brady thought Brown could be a difference maker. And if he was holding this stance after Brown was accused of sexual assault, perhaps that was where Belichick drew the line.

We’re not saying he did, but we know the head coach does things his own way, and you can assume he wasn’t willing to be upstaged in this ridiculous fashion.

Brown then followed Brady to Tampa Bay, and though the two won a Super Bowl together, there’s been more drama and distraction than anybody could stomach. Repeated missteps with no clear willingness to change or amend previous troubling behavior.

Brady found a head coach who was willing to bend to his demands, but even Arians wasn’t going to let the latest infraction fly. And we can’t help but wonder if Belichick’s tough stance here pushed Brady further away or if Brady’s continued support for Brown rubbed Belichick the wrong way.

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