Bill Belichick’s leaked email sparks new buzz over Tom Brady’s 2020 Patriots departure

A recently leaked email from Bill Belichick has stirred fresh speculation about the real reasons behind Tom Brady’s departure from the New England Patriots in 2020. The email, shared publicly by Belichick’s partner Jordon Hudson, includes remarks that have fueled the long-standing debate about who deserved more credit for the Patriots’ two-decade dynasty Brady or Belichick.In the email, Bill Belichick highlights his role in increasing the value of the Patriots franchise, with little mention of Tom Brady’s contributions.This has been seen by many, including sports analyst Bill Simmons, as subtle but telling evidence of Belichick’s mindset during the final years of their partnership. Simmons and others interpret the tone as reflective of a deeper, long-running power struggle between the two football legends.The email, which was never intended for public release, revealed a more candid side of Bill Belichick. In the message, he expressed frustration with how the media was covering his book, hinting that the publicity though not entirely welcome might serve a promotional purpose. He wrote, "I don't think this is fantastic, but it probably will hype the book, which is clearly the ongoing theme here."On a recent episode of The Ryen Russillo Podcast, Simmons shared his frustration. "It was never just about football," he said. "It was about who deserved the credit."Tension between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick had been brewing long before Brady's 2020 departure. As early as 2018, ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reported on a widening rift between the quarterback and coach. At the center of it was backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo Belichick’s preferred successor to Brady. Concerned about his future, Brady reportedly pushed back, worried about being replaced. Under pressure from team owner Robert Kraft, Belichick eventually relented and traded Garoppolo to the 49ers.Behind closed doors, the situation was far from smooth. Brady allegedly refused to mentor Garoppolo, and Belichick, in turn, resisted offering Brady a long-term contract extension. According to Wickersham, the tension reached its peak during a private meeting in October of that year, one that ultimately led to Garoppolo’s departure.Fast forward to the present, and the recently leaked email from Belichick seems to echo unresolved frustration. The message, initially private, now sounds like the reflections of a man still unsettled by how things unfolded. And when Brady lifted the Lombardi Trophy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, the silence from Foxborough only grew more telling.Bill Simmons, long-time Patriots fan and sports commentator, interprets the email as a candid admission of what’s long been suspected. As he put it, "When Brady won that title without Belichick, it changed the narrative. And yeah, that stung."Also Read: Tom Brady Net Worth in 2025: How the NFL legend is building his fortune after retirementThe leaked email adds another layer to the story, shedding light on the complex and often guarded relationship between two of football’s greatest minds. Ultimately, it suggests that ego, legacy, and differing visions for the future may have played as much a role in their split as any on-field decision.