Brady wanted out after 2017. Before the 6th ring. I believe the cracks came when he was not backed by the team in Deflategate. Add what he was dealing with with his mom's cancer and the suspension he had to fight really by himself and that was the riff.
There was nothing to fight in Deflategate. It was a screwjob. The rest of the league made that very clear. The scandal itself was the punishment. Fighting the allegations would have been a waste of time and a waste of capital. Brady's anger should be at the other owners, and himself for not recognizing the situation for what it was.
Didnt matter after that. He started to do less in the offseason and that did not sit well with Brady.
I assume you meant it didn't sit well with Belichick, and it shouldn't. Brady knew the culture better than anybody, and he wanted to pout rather than contribute. That was his "fuck you" to the Patriot way.
How many times did Belichick throw accolades at Newton this year with his subpar play? So if I'm Beady, yeah I want out.
Setting aside the fact that Brady was already out, what were the accolades for? They were to a one for his leadership and devotion to the team. Think there might be a message there?
So tell me again who is the root cause for Brady leaving? Who is the GM who let it get to what you said El Barto?
Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick respectively. Who created and eventually demanded the situation? Tom Brady.
There was a reason they were 12-4 in their last year of Brady even though it was a mirage? One guy was the reason.
Brady definitely contributed, but not as much as the D.
I could actually point out several reasons why TB12 contributed to the Patriots demise, but I've got company over.