NFL Patriots Dispute ESPN Story

In their first public comments since ESPN speculated Friday that the New England Patriots' Kraft-Brady-Belichick era may be drawing to a close, all three tried to deflate the story, reports Fox News.

In a radio interview Saturday, quarterback Tom Brady praised his relationships with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick, despite claims that the trio have been feuding and there was turmoil among the five-time Super Bowl-winning team.

On Kraft: “He’s a great person, man. He’s been like a second father to me in so many ways,” Brady told Jim Gray on Westwood One Sports Radio during his weekly interview appearance Saturday.

On Belichick: “I have a great relationship with Coach Belichick. We’ve worked together for 18 years. There’s no coach I’d rather play for, and I’ve loved my experience here.”

As for Belichick, the coach affixed his name to a statement that the trio released Friday:

Joint statement from Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, Head Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady: pic.twitter.com/i555gWZIi6

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 5, 2018

Much of the report by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham focuses on Belichick's supposed disapproval of Brady’s relationship with his “trainer, body coach and business partner” Alex Guerrero, and how Kraft reportedly ordered Belichick to trade Garoppolo.

The story was said to be sparked by Brady's angry outburst on the sidelines during a Dec. 3 game.

Brady dismissed the story, telling Gray he was focused only on winning another Super Bowl, and to think of his relationships being anything but positive would be “complete nonsense.”