New England

Brady, Belichick and Kraft Continue to Be Questioned About Possible Rift

New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady is once again disputing rumors about an alleged power struggle between him, head coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft.

Brady joined WEEI's Kirk & Callahan Tuesday morning to discuss the recent ESPN article.

The article, which came out last week, cited "interviews with more than a dozen New England staffers, executives, players and league sources with knowledge of the team's inner workings." It said that Brady, Belichick, and Kraft have had a series of major disagreements in recent months. The article also said there was a sense inside the building that this could be their last year together.

Brady told Kirk & Callahan that he hasn't read the entire story, but like Belichick, was briefed on certain parts, saying he hasn't thought about the article much.

"I think I have a great relationship with my teammates, and if others don’t feel like they have a great relationship with me, that is one thing, but I try and do what I have always done and be the best teammate I can be," he said. "I don’t think that has ever really changed in my mind."

The 40-year-old confirmed that the Patriot Player of the Week award exists, but told Kirk & Callahan he's never expressed being upset over not winning it.

"No, I think things like that, I can’t imagine me every saying that, or me talking about that," he said. "It’s hard to even answer that question."

The ESPN article, written by Seth Wickersham, said that much of the tension between Brady and Belichick stems from Brady's relationship with his trainer, body coach and business partner Alex Guerrero.

Brady disputed those rumors Tuesday morning, saying he wasn't "divisive" when giving teammates advice about preparing for a game or training.

"People come up to me whether it is my teammates, or other guys and say, 'Hey, what are the things that you do? What are the things that have worked for you?' I can just convey that certain message. Whether that is how I train, or how I eat, or sleep, or drink, all those things, I just try and give them the answer that works for me," Brady said, adding, "Every player, it is up to them to either listen to what I am saying and either use it or not use it. It’s their career. It’s not that I couldn’t care less. I want everyone to experience the things I have experienced as I have gotten older. That is just what I try and convey."

Patriots owner Robert Kraft also commented on the reported problems within the organization on Tuesday morning, when reached at the launch of the Mobile Health Project Program through The Kraft Center for Community at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“Should fans worry about the future leadership of their team? I think we are here to talk about the opioid van. I’m done talking about. Our team is pretty special and we’re quite united and very proud of where we’re at" and our focus is on trying to have a very exciting night Saturday night," Kraft said.

Belichick also briefly addressed the controversy during his media availability on Tuesday by refusing to address it.

"We've dealt with some non-Tennessee subjects here over the last few days. At this point I'm all in on Tennessee," he said. "I'll answer any questions about the Titans but that's it."

Asked later in the press conference if he talked about any of those "non-Tennessee subjects" to the team, he replied with one of his most famous non-answers: "Yeah, we're on to Tennessee."

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