In one breath, ESPN analyst Rex Ryan pumped up the success of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and tore it down.
When appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up,” the former NFL head coach credited former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for the team’s long run of past success. He also took a jab at the “Patriot Way,” which he claimed exhausts players.
“This team plays like they’re exhausted, and the Patriots Way, that’s it, it exhausts these kids,” said Ryan. “Tom Brady was the only reason you won anyway, all right? I’m just telling you the difference. Tom Brady was the absolute difference. I said from jump, they would never win again. I said they would never win again when that guy trotted down to Tampa.
“Because I know how draining that is to those kids. And that is what you’re facing right now. You pick all of the players, you do all this. Bill Belichick, greatest in the history, I will never dispute that, okay? I’ve had my ass kicked by him a million times. But if you think for a minute that it wasn’t about Tom Brady, you’re absolutely crazy.”
More Rex Ryan on the Patriots: "Tom Brady was the only reason you won anyway. I'm just telling you the difference… I said they would never win again when he trotted down to Tampa." pic.twitter.com/wLCO5IoarJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 27, 2023
Belichick has not been able to maintain the same level of success without the legendary quarterback, even though he has complete control over personnel and coaching. Brady, on the other hand, went to Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl in his first year away from the Patriots.
Since getting blown out in their only playoff appearance in the last four seasons in 2021, the Patriots have experienced back-to-back losing seasons. This season, they’re sitting at 2-9 with the worst record in the AFC and a projected top-three 2024 NFL draft pick.
Ryan’s comments might not be easy to hear from longtime fans, but they’re becoming harder and harder to dispute.
