Tom Brady's return to New England ended with a sweet, private meeting with Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick went to the Bucs locker room after SNF to have a chat with his old QB.

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Tom Brady’s return to New England last night wasn’t the most beautiful game the GOAT has ever played but he did just enough to get yet another win in a stadium where he has collected so many big ones in the past and then after he was able to share some special minutes with his old coach, Bill Belichick.

I’m not talking about the awkward hug that the two shared on the field moments after the Bucs wrapped up their 19-17 win. Fans ripped Belichick over that quick hug but what did we really expect would happen after the final whistle? Did we think the two legends would stand there in the rain in front of all that media and have a chat about their relationship and everything they’ve been through?

No, of course not. That’s not how Belichick does things and that’s now how the two should have handled their first time together since the two sides parted ways after the 2019 season.

Instead, the old football coach, who has always had nice things to say about his former star QB, walked into the Bucs locker room on his own after the game and found Brady. The two then reportedly went to a private area of the away team’s dressing room and had a chat. Some say it was over 20 minutes long. Nobody knows what they talked about but I don’t think we really need those details, do we?

Bill Belichick has now been in the Bucs’ locker room for 20 minutes, talking in a private area with Tom Brady. Belichick entered on his own without anyone else around him.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) October 4, 2021

Brady did have this to say after the meeting:

“We’ve had a personal relationship for 20-plus years. He drafted me here. We had a lot of personal conversations that should remain that way. They’re very private.”

He added:

“I would say, so much is made of our relationship. … Nothing is really accurate that I ever see. It definitely doesn’t come from my personal feelings or beliefs.”

What we can take away from this is that after an emotional, and very wet night in Foxboro, the two GOATs got away from all the lights and cameras and did what needed to be done – they reconnected with each other and by doing so likely reminded themselves about what they both mean to each other.

They probably didn’t have to come out and say what they mean to each other during that little meeting but just by taking that time together both men likely walked away from it feeling good about themselves and their relationship. Those two guys have spent so much time together in the past breaking down film, having long talks in the coach’s office, and winning the biggest of games in the most dramatic of ways.

I mean, they’ve been through some STUFF together, stuff us regular people will never experience. Stuff that has been very public but also very private.

Now, of course, Brady and Belichick won’t see each other until who knows when. They are both on different paths, fighting their own ways through another NFL season and trying to get back to the top.

Brady got back there last season and wants to get back there every season that he has left in his 44-year-old body.

Belichick has not gotten back there, at least not yet. Last year he missed the playoffs for the first time in ages. Now his team is 1-3 but showing promise with a rookie QB who made some very good plays last night against the beat up defending champs.

But for 20 minutes late last night in bowels of Gillette Stadium two guys who have reportedly – and understandably – had some tough moments with each other during their 20 years together (relationships are hard!) put all the you-know-what aside and allowed themselves to be human and share a few good minutes to take it all in and have a chat.

That must have felt really good. For both them.

Closure, man. What a drug that can be.

Quick hits: NFL Week 4 Awards… Tomlin and Rodgers share a great moment together… Mahomes had fans in awe… And more. 

– I’m back with my very serious NFL awards where I do a gif-by-gif look at the good, the bad, and the hilarious from Sunday. This week’s awards start with an Oscar-worthy dive by a Buffalo Bills tight end.

– Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers could only smile at each other after the QB tried to pull a fast one on the Steelers.

– NFL fans were in awe of Patrick Mahomes’ ridiculous underhand TD pass against the Eagles.

– Speaking of the Patriots, Steve Belichick’s face became a meme during Sunday night’s game.

– The Ravens chose to run a play instead of kneeling for the win in order to tie a NFL record.

– Giants safety Jabrill Peppers had a very NSFW reaction to winning the coin toss before overtime against the Falcons.