Tom Brady says he was 'surprised' Bill Belichick wasn't hired for head coaching job

Tom Brady said he was surprised that his former coach Bill Belichick wasn't hired this offseason after parting ways with the New England Patriots after 24 years.

Belichick reportedly was interviewed by the Atlanta Falcons twice, who ultimately hired Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

"I don't know the criteria for hiring coaches. I've never been a part of it," Brady said on the "Let's Go!" podcast. "I mean, I'm surprised that the greatest coach ever doesn't have a job, absolutely. But I'm surprised (by) a lot of things in the NFL."

Brady and Belichick spent 20 seasons together with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls before Brady announced that he was leaving the franchise via free agency after the 2019 season.

The five-time Super Bowl MVP said there weren't many teams vying for his services, as he was 42 years old at the time of the announcement.

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"When I was a free agent, there (were) a lot of teams that didn't want me," Brady said on the podcast.

Brady went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led the team to a Super Bowl victory in his first seasons. He stayed with the team for two more seasons before retiring after the 2022 season.