Some would consider Tom Brady as the G.O.A.T, some would say that he only won his rings because of his coach, Bill Belichick. However, one thing is certain, Brady overcame the most obstacles in 2020 that he has faced in any season.
Brady spent the first 20 years of his NFL career with one team, the New England Patriots. He was extremely productive there winning six Super Bowl titles and 17 division titles. However, sometimes change isn’t good.
Over the offseason, Brady decided to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many ESPN analysts thought this was where he was going to die. After all, Brady was going to a team that wasn’t the greatest and hadn’t made the postseason since 2008.
Yes, experts thought this was the end of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and claimed that he will never see a Super Bowl again.
After a poor week one performance by Brady, where he threw two interceptions and lost by 11 points, ESPN analysts like Max Kellerman gave their thoughts on Brady.
“Tom Brady is obviously in decline without Bill Belichick and the Patriots,” said Kellerman. “This is what a 43-year-old quarterback on a new team looks like.”
Brady didn’t start the season well. He struggled to get going and learn the playbook. Remember there was no preseason and a very limited training camp, so this could have played a big factor in his slow start.
As time went on, this Buccaneers team just kept getting better.
After their Week one loss, they won six of seven games including a win against the Green Bay Packers. However, the Buccaneers would come back down to Earth losing to the Saints 38-3 as well the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs (all playoff teams).
After a late-week 13 bye, this fueled Brady to finish the season strong.
Brady and the Buccaneers marched into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and finishing 11-5.
In the postseason, Brady showed everyone why he is the “G.O.A.T.” He beat a Saints team that he lost to twice in the regular season and then beat the number one seeded Green Bay Packers. Finally, in the biggest stage, Brady didn’t disappoint as he beat the high-powered Chiefs team in Super Bowl 55.
He went on to win his seventh Super Bowl title and fifth Super Bowl MVP award. What he was able to accomplish this season is something that no quarterback has ever done in history.
He is the first quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl in both conferences, the NFC and AFC. He also joins Peyton Manning as the only two quarterbacks to ever win with two different franchises.
Brady’s play on the field can definitely be seen as a key part of the Super Bowl win. However, it’s not directly why the Buccaneers were able to win.
Image Courtesy of the NFL
“The most impressive part of the 2020/21 season for Tom Brady was the leadership,” said podcast host Shawn Michels. “The Buccaneers brought in Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette and more. All players with large egos/personalities. Instead of seeing friction [on offense], you saw nothing but positivity and bonding.”
There’s no doubt about it, that this was Brady’s offense and his team. However, there were never any problems that arose within the organization. This has to fall on Brady and how his leadership skills pushed this Buccaneers team to be better.
It takes time for players to build their chemistry with the team especially in their first season. Brady had to learn a whole new playbook, a whole new scheme and most importantly the team environment. Nonetheless, he did all this in just one season.
This season, Brady went to a new team, beat two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the postseason, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers and beat the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. On top of that, Brady heard the critics doubt him all season long, something that he hasn’t heard before.
Brady essentially ended the G.O.A.T conversation after all that he overcame this past season, the hate, the playoff underdog and winning Super Bowl 55 on a new team.
Image Courtesy of Draft Kings.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
