After 20 Years, the results of the most famous Divorce in the NFL

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, two legends that shaped the last 20 years of the NFL. Together, they dominated the AFC East, winning 17 division titles, appearing in 13 AFC Championships and nine Super Bowls, winning six, the most by a coach/qb duo in NFL history.

The question that everyone has asked over the years has been which man was more integral to the success of the Patriots, Tom or Bill?

With Tom Brady shocking the football world this summer when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, we would finally get the chance to answer that question. 

Through the first half of the season, it looks as if Tom was the key piece in the relationship, as the Patriots have declined heavily since the divorce. 

With substandard quarterbacks left on the roster including Jarret Stidham and Bryan Hoyer, New England added former MVP Cam Newton on a one year contract. Cam showed flashes of the player he was 5 years ago for the Carolina Panthers in the opening weeks. But after recovering from Covid-19, Cam has struggled mightily, as the Pats sit 3rd in the AFC East at 3-5. 

Meanwhile, Brady's experience has propelled the Bucs into the thick of the NFC South title race as they sit second in the NFC South at 7-3. The switch from the turnover prone Jameis Winston to Brady has paid off, as Tampa's offense is more efficient than it was last year. Brady's arrival has also drawn big names to Tampa, including Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy, and a pair of Brady's former teammates in Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. 

So far, it looks like Tom won the divorce, but there's still plenty of time for Bill to turn things around and lead the Pats to the playoffs for the 12th straight season.