Not even die-hard Patriots fan Ben Affleck is privy to pal Tom Brady’s free-agency plans.
Appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up” Tuesday, the Oscar winner revealed he’s been unsuccessful in getting Brady, 42, to disclose his potential future outside of New England.
“Me and Matt [Damon] texted him and said, ‘What’s the deal? You going or you staying?'” Affleck said, adding Brady only replied with the shrug emoji.
Brady is expected to hit the open market next month for the first time in his 20-year career. Affleck is conflicted as a personal friend of Brady’s and a lifelong Patriots fan.
“I hope he stays,” Affleck began. “By the same token, he has given up a lot of money to play for that franchise over the years that he well deserves. The New England Patriots didn’t sacrifice any money winning all of those Super Bowls, selling all those tickets, selling all that merchandise.”
With Brady’s rumored asking price said to be in the $30 million-per-year neighborhood, Affleck hopes the quarterback not only gets the money but the weapons he deserves.
Ben Affleck and Tom BradyGetty Images“He’s sacrificed a lot, he took a lot of cuts, they still didn’t surround him with …,” Affleck said of the Patriots’ lack of offensive targets, something Brady was rumored to be frustrated with this past season.
Should Brady choose to continue his career elsewhere — as the Chargers now have a quarterback vacancy to fill after cutting ties with Philip Rivers — Affleck said that as difficult as it would be, he’d understand.
“I pray and hope that he stays. It would break my heart if he left, but I would respect that fact if he wanted to go,” he explained.
Brady and the Patriots have yet to engage in contract talks, ESPN reported last week.
