FOXBORO, Mass. — It seems like another lifetime, but there was a point during the 2016 season when many already were preparing to put New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady on the trade block.
Backup Jimmy Garoppolo, 25, was rolling, and Brady, 39, was just beginning his four-game Deflategate suspension. With Brady on pace to have the highest passer rating in NFL history, the storyline has changed.
Yet Brady still realizes he could be in Jamie Collins’ place and traded by the Patriots one day.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Brady said Wednesday. “You can’t be around this long and not realize that the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up tomorrow without you. That’s just the way it goes. I think you enjoy just what you — the experiences that you have and then also understand it just keeps going on. It could happen to anybody. You just have to show up for work, do the best you can do every day and let your performance just speak for yourself.”
It’s almost unthinkable that Brady could be traded, but three days ago, many believed the same about Collins. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick similarly has moved on from former Patriots stars Deion Branch, Randy Moss, Richard Seymour, Logan Mankins, Mike Vrabel and Chandler Jones in notable trades, so these moves are not unexpected for Brady.
It seems Brady, given his importance to the Patriots, could be the exception. But the quarterback isn’t ruling out anything.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
