Tom Brady confirms New England Patriots exit on social media: 'It is time for me to open a new stage'

Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots after 20 years and six Super Bowl titles
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George Flood17 March 2020

NFL great Tom Brady has announced on social media that he will not be re-signing with the New England Patriots, bringing his hugely successful 20-year stint with the franchise to an end.

In a lengthy statement, the legendary quarterback, 42, thanked fans for their support and confirmed that it is time to "open a new stage" for his life and career, adding that his football journey will now "take place elsewhere".

Brady - who won six Super Bowl rings as a Patriot after being selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft - is expected to sign with another team during the upcoming free-agency period, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers currently linked with his signature after the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers were seemingly discounted as potential suitors.

His next move could come officially as soon as Wednesday, when the new NFL league year opens for business despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Brady was free to agree terms with another club from Monday as part of the NFL's 'legal tampering period' and recently announced that he was launching a Hollywood production company.

Brady was initially a lowly draft pick (199) out of the University of Michigan, but has since gone on to build a glittering professional career as a key part of one of the most successful dynasties in the history of sport under owner Robert Kraft and long-time head coach Bill Belichick.

After replacing the injured Drew Bledsoe as the Patriots' starter under centre in 2001, Brady has gone onto appear in a record nine Super Bowls, winning six titles, with the last of those coming in February 2019 courtesy of victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta.

Brady was the most valuable player (MVP) in four of those Super Bowl wins, as well as being voted the regular-season MVP in 2007, 2010 and 2017. He is also a 14-time Pro-Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection.

Brady's final season as a Patriot ended with a shock home defeat by the Titans in the wildcard round of the AFC playoffs.

Paying tribute to the departing Brady on Tuesday, Belichick said: "Sometimes in life, it takes some time to pass before truly appreciating something or someone but that has not been the case with Tom.

"He is a special person and the greatest quarterback of all-time."

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