New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane didn't hold back when asked about Tom Brady's recent comment that he had "no dog in the fight" during Super Bowl LX. Speaking on WEEI in Boston, Spillane admitted the remark struck a nerve, leaving him both irritated and disappointed in the legendary quarterback.
"It irritated me, and it made me feel sad for him, spending 20 years here, obviously, went on to do amazing, great things, not only on the football field but in the community, and to say that he had no care in the world, it irritated me," Spillane said. "It made me feel sad for him. But at the end of the day, that was just my personal opinion. Everyone else has their own opinions in the locker room."
Brady's comment came before the Patriots' Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, a game New England ultimately won. While the team was focused on preparation at the time, Spillane's reaction shows the comment still stings weeks later.
The tension between Brady and the Patriots organization is nothing new. In 2020, the team made the controversial decision to let Brady walk in free agency after reported friction with head coach Bill Belichick. Brady went on to win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the very next season, while Belichick's Patriots struggled to find consistent success in the following years.
Despite the history, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, a former teammate of Brady's, offered a more measured perspective. "Clearly Tom's gone out of his way to make it known that he's trying to, you know — he has a new job and a new role and, you know, it is really what it is," Vrabel told WEEI. "Tom's a friend, he'll always be a friend. He was a former teammate, but, I mean, he's made it clear, like, 'I'm doing something new now.'"
Brady's busy schedule — between his broadcasting duties on FOX and his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders — has limited his appearances at Patriots events. He did return last week for his statue unveiling, but his recent comments suggest he's fully moved on from his playing days in New England.
Spillane's frustration highlights a lingering divide between the Patriots' current roster and their most iconic figure. Some fans and players may feel that Brady's dismissal of the team disrespects the bond they once shared, while others understand his need to embrace a new chapter.
As the Patriots prepare for the upcoming season, the team is focused on building on their Super Bowl victory. But Brady's words continue to reverberate, adding another layer to an already complicated legacy. The Patriots' roster moves this offseason show they're committed to staying competitive, even as they navigate the emotional fallout from Brady's comments.
For now, Spillane's candid reaction serves as a reminder that even in victory, the wounds of the past can still ache. Whether Brady will address the backlash remains to be seen, but his place in Patriots history is secure — even if his recent words have left some feeling less than warm.
