Brady–Belichick era

The Tom Brady–Bill Belichick era, also known as the Brady–Belichick era, the New England Patriots dynasty, or the Patriots dynasty, was a sports dynasty of the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL) that lasted from the 2000 to the 2019 season. The dynasty is named after quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, who are regarded as among the greatest in their respective positions. Belichick and Brady are generally credited with the Patriots' success and for creating one of the sport's longest and most dominant dynasties. They are also credited with helping to create a team culture, dubbed the "Patriot Way", that emphasizes personal accountability, consistent improvement, and team success over personal gain.

Under Belichick and Brady, the Patriots played in nine Super Bowls, more than any other NFL franchise, and won a league-record six (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers). They also had 19 consecutive winning seasons, 17 division titles (including 11 consecutive from 2009 to 2019), 13 AFC Championship Game appearances (including eight consecutive from 2011 to 2018), and the league’s only undefeated 16-game regular season in 2007. The Patriots appeared in half of all Super Bowls played during Brady's 18 seasons as the primary starter and won two-thirds of those.

In addition to helping set the Patriots' franchise records, Brady and Belichick hold the records for the most Super Bowl appearances and victories by a player and head coach, respectively. Belichick also holds the records for the most playoff wins by a head coach (31) and Super Bowl appearances by an individual (12), while Brady holds the quarterback records for career wins (264), regular season wins (230), and playoff wins (34) and the record for Super Bowl MVP awards (five).

The era ended when Brady left the Patriots as a free agent for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020, where he went on to win a 7th Super Bowl. Belichick remained as head coach of the Patriots until the end of the 2023 NFL season, which coincided with Brady's retirement from the sport.


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