We're beginning to get a glimpse of the bombshell ESPN story of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick rift that could spell the end of the Patriots dynasty

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We're beginning to get a glimpse of the bombshell ESPN story of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick rift that could spell the end of the Patriots dynasty

From left, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, New England Patriots President Jonathan Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

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  • Multiple reports say ESPN plans to publish a story on Friday detailing a rift involving Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft.
  • One report says the rift involves a power struggle over who deserves the most credit for the team's dynasty.
  • The rift is said to be so bad that some Patriots feel this could be the last season together for the trio.
  • There are conflicting reports about whether or not Tom Brady demanded the team trade his heir-apparent, Jimmy Garoppolo.


ESPN is set to publish a story detailing a rift brewing inside the New England Patriots involving their most prominent figures, according to multiple reports, and it could mean the end of their dynasty.

Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch first reported that ESPN would publish the story on Friday, and that it will detail a "power struggle" involving quarterback Tom Brady, head coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft.

"Source: ESPN readying new hit piece on Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Robert Kraft set to publish tomorrow morning at 8am," Allen wrote on Twitter. "The topic will be a power struggle among the trio as to who deserves the most credit for the dynasty."

According to Allen, the ESPN story will say that the rift is "so severe many Patriots feel this is the last year together for the trio." Allen also noted that the story is to be authored by ESPN's veteran NFL writer Seth Wickersham.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk confirmed that a story is coming from ESPN on a rift inside the Patriots organization.

"PFT has confirmed, as reported by Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch, that ESPN will publish a new story about the Patriots on Friday," Florio wrote. "The focal point reportedly will be the relationship between quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft and, specifically, the existence of a rift among the three central figures in the 16-year run of unparalleled NFL success."

Allen also reported that the ESPN story will allege that Brady went to Kraft to force Belichick to trade Brady's heir-apparent, Jimmy Garoppolo, who was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers prior to the trade deadline. According to Florio, the ESPN report will not make such a claim.

"A source with knowledge of the ESPN report tells PFT that the ESPN report will not contend that Brady tried to force a trade," Florio wrote.

This is a developing story.

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