Tom Brady Rejoins the Patriots’ Corner With a Message for Robert Kraft

#Brady sounded neutral all week — then Friday changed the message

With the New England Patriots chasing what would be a record-setting seventh Super Bowl win — and their first title run without Bill Belichick or Tom Brady — Brady became part of the storyline this week for a reason that had nothing to do with the field.

Earlier in the week, Brady said he wasn’t rooting for either team involved, framing it as a “no dog in the fight” situation. That didn’t sit well with a chunk of Patriots fans and even some former players, given the history he built in New England.

#The Instagram post that flipped the vibe

On Friday, Brady’s tone looked noticeably different.

He posted a photo with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and added a message that read like a public show of support: Brady told Kraft he’s got his back and pushed him to go win ring No. 7 — “so we can match.”

Brady, of course, already owns seven Lombardi Trophies: six from his Patriots years and one from Tampa Bay. If New England wins this one, Kraft would also sit at seven as an owner, tying Brady’s career total in a symbolic way.

#Why Brady said he was staying out of it

Brady recently explained his neutrality while talking with Jim Gray on the Let’s Go! podcast. His point was that this Patriots era is different — a new chapter — and he didn’t feel personally attached to the matchup.

He also mentioned how the team has moved forward under head coach Mike Vrabel and credited the work of the current roster for getting New England back to this stage after a brief lull.

#The context: Brady’s Patriots legacy is still everywhere

Even if Brady isn’t wearing a Patriots uniform anymore, the franchise has treated him like its defining figure:

• He played 20 seasons in New England.
• The team retired his number.
• A statue honoring him sits outside Gillette Stadium.
• Vrabel (a former teammate) is now leading the team.
• Josh McDaniels (his longtime coordinator) is back running the offense.

That’s why the “no dog in the fight” line hit a nerve. For many, it sounded too detached for someone whose legacy is basically fused with the organization.

#What it means now

Whether Brady’s Friday post reflects his real emotions finally showing, or whether it’s a smooth way to cool down the backlash, is impossible to know from the outside.

What is clear: as of Friday night, Brady publicly leaned back toward New England — and did it with a direct message to Kraft that instantly made the rounds.