CHANDLER, Ariz. — Forget DeflateGate, ineligible receivers or Brandon Browner’s comments urging New England Patriots teammates to further injure the Seattle Seahawks. The most absurd controversy of the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX season was when quarterback Tom Brady didn’t congratulate his backup Jimmy Garoppolo for throwing a meaningless touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sure, it was Garoppolo’s first career TD pass, but Brady was rightfully ticked off that his team was getting shelled on Monday Night Football in front of a national audience.
Fear not, Patriots fans. Brady and Garoppolo have a fine relationship, according to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels.
“Big brother. Jimmy came in and really didn’t have — like most rookies — (any) background and understanding of how the NFL works,” McDaniels said Thursday at the Patriots’ team hotel. “Here’s a guy (Brady) that is, when you look at it, he’s competing with him. Tom and Jimmy are competing together for the same role on our team. Jimmy’s had a great attitude and tried to digest as much information as he can, and Tom’s been incredibly available for Jimmy. To watch a guy in his 15th year prepare to be the best player he could be, but also care enough about a young player to try and help him improve every day, it’s really an unselfish thing to watch happen.
Jimmy’s a sponge, and Tom’s not afraid to tell him as much as he can. The one thing Tom knows is that if something happens to Tom, he needs Jimmy to be ready. There’s no selfishness at all on that front. I mean, he knows that if something were to happen to him he wants our team to still have a chance to win. So, if he can help Jimmy prepare each week or during the course of the season to be a better player if and when that would occur, that’s what Tom’s goal has been.”
Brady and Garoppolo are 14 years apart. Garoppolo completed 19 of 27 passes for 182 yards with a touchdown this season after being a 2014 second-round pick.
Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/Associated Press
