FOXBOROUGH, Massachussetts—Tom Brady left an imprint on the New England Patriots that hasn’t faded.
Three-plus years after his departure, Brady’s jersey is still sold inside the stadium and dots its seats on game days. Photos of both his iconic and mundane moments in a Patriots uniform also continue to decorate various areas of the team’s practice facilities.
New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson chuckled this week when asked how many images of Brady he saw during a short walk from the locker room to a news conference.
“I probably walked past him five times,” Stevenson said.
Brady long ago cemented his place as the Patriots’ favorite son, even before he won the last of his six Super Bowl rings with the team after the 2018 season. Now retired, he’ll return to be honored for his legacy on Sunday when New England opens the season against Philadelphia.
“He certainly deserves it,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.
Considering New England’s fortunes since Brady left to sign with Tampa Bay, he’s certainly been missed. The Patriots have yet to settle on a long-term successor.
Cam Newton’s attempt to follow the future Hall of Famer ended with a 7-9 record in 2020 and the team missing the postseason for the first time in more than a decade.
Newton was beaten out the following season by then-rookie Mac Jones, who led New England back to postseason and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. But that momentum cratered last season as the Patriots went 8-9. Jones regressed and the offense ranked in the bottom half of the National Football League (NFL).
Belichick brought back former assistant Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator in an effort to revamp the Patriots’ attack.
For his part, Jones believes Brady’s legacy has helped, not hindered, his progress.
“I think Tom Brady’s the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL. So, to follow up on him, it’s just trying to chase the standard that he set, every day,” Jones said. “Honestly, we’re definitely two different players, and that’s the only advice I’d have. Just continue to grow and be yourself, right? That’s all you can do, is put your best foot forward and compete. But yeah, it’s definitely big shoes to fill.”
The Eagles enter Week 1 fresh off an NFC championship and narrow Super Bowl loss to Kansas City. Philadelphia is very much secure at quarterback, having signed Jones’ former Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts to a long-term deal this offseason.
While Hurts has enjoyed success that so far has eluded Jones, Hurts believes Jones has better football ahead of him. This will be the first meeting between the two Crimson Tide QBs.
“Mac has always been a great competitor,” Hurts said. “He had a hunger for the game and just learning. Always challenging himself. I’m looking forward to him doing big things this year.”
Image credits: AP
