Tom Brady isn’t picking a team in the Super Bowl (Image: Icon Sportswire, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tom Brady seems to have taken a further step in creating distance from the New England Patriots after the FOX Sports analyst refused to back his former side in Super Bowl LX.
In the build-up to the Big Game, Brady caused a stir throughout the NFL when he disclosed he wouldn’t be supporting the Patriots in this year’s Super Bowl. His unexpected position triggered fierce criticism, although that didn’t stop Mac Jones from expressing a comparable viewpoint.
Whilst Brady’s comments continue to echo around the league, eagle-eyed fans noticed that the 48-year-old has unfollowed the Patriots’ official Instagram account. Stoking the controversy further, he continues to follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ social media page – the team where he spent his final three seasons in the NFL.
Throughout his two-decade tenure in New England, Brady secured six Super Bowl rings, 17 NFC East titles and three MVP awards. Yet despite his legendary status with the franchise, the former quarterback insisted he doesn’t “have a dog in the fight” concerning the 2026 Super Bowl showdown.
“I think there’s always different chapters in your life,” Brady stated during his appearance on the ‘Let’s Go! podcast.
“And you have different chapters and moments that you go through where you are affiliated with a certain team. Michigan, and then I was with the Patriots for 20 years. I was with Tampa for three amazing years. I’ve been in broadcasting, now I’m an owner of the Raiders.
“So, those memories that I have are forever ingrained in me and I’m indebted to all the people who worked so hard to help make our team successful.
“Look, I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one,” he subsequently added. “May the best team win. And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England. And I’m glad everyone has embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position.
“We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England.”
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Tom Brady isn’t pulling for the New England Patriots (Image: Jesse Grant, Getty Images for EA Sports)
Patriots players – both former and current – have been vocal about their disappointment with Brady’s impartial stance. Vince Wilfork, his ex-teammate across 11 seasons from 2004-2014, told Savage Sports: “That’s bull—-, Tom.
“Come on now. All that political – this ain’t political. It ain’t political, what it is. The Raiders ain’t in it. Say what it is, what you see?”.
“At the end of the day, if you’re a Patriot for life you know what it is. Don’t give me that political bull—-. That’s just what it is. If you don’t think we gonna win, just pick Seattle then! Don’t straddle the fence.”
Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane likewise voiced his frustration with Brady, telling reporters on Thursday: “He has a dog in the fight.
“So for him to say that … It is what it is. At the end of the day, he’s an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders now, so he has to do what’s best for him.”