FOXBORO, Mass. – With the NFL’s schedule release looming, the Patriots announced on Thursday that they will honor long-time quarterback and 7x Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady at their 2023 home opener. Team owner Robert Kraft was the first to leak the word:
“The greatest player in the history of the game played right here in Foxboro, and I’m happy to tell you…I invited him back to come here and be with us at the opening game,” said Kraft on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. “It will be the beginning of many celebrations to honor Tom Brady and say ‘thank you’ for what he did for us, those 20 years playing for the New England Patriots.”
While New England’s schedule is not yet official – several leaks, rumors, and reports have surfaced and all-but confirm that their home opener will be a week one matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and newly signed running back James Robinson were made available to the media, and both spoke highly on Brady and his return:
“That’s going to be big,” said Godchaux. “It’s probably sold out already… we definitely gotta get the win.”
“He handled it well,” Godchaux said of Mac’s poise during that game almost two years ago. “The ‘hype’ was all about Tom… I think Mac handled it well and had a great game.” He also added that while he doesn’t want to speak for Jones, he knows New England’s QB is hungry and ready to go.“
Running back James Robinson, who signed with the Patriots in March, was also asked about both Brady’s return, if he watched him from afar, and also on his new quarterback Mac Jones:
“I did watch [Brady]. I love watching him play. It’ll be great to see him honored.”
On Mac Jones?
“Great guy. Hard worker for sure.”
The NFL’s full, 252-game, 18-week schedule will be made official at 8pm on Thursday. New England also announced that media are able to attend OTA sessions on May 25th, June 2nd, June 8th.
That means that two weeks from today will be our first look at a Bill O’Brien-led Patriots offense.
