Tom Brady surprised that 'greatest coach' Bill Belichick went unhired

Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Longtime New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he is surprised that Bill Belichick, whom he considers to be the "greatest coach ever" was not offered a job during the latest NFL hiring cycle, he said on his podcast.

Brady made the comment during his weekly appearance on Let's Go!

"I don't know the criteria for hiring coaches," Brady said. "I've never been a part of it. I'm surprised that the greatest coach ever doesn't have a job, absolutely. I'm surprised by a lot of things in the NFL."

The Patriots announced Jan. 11 that they mutually agreed to split with Belichick, ending his historic 24-year tenure with the AFC East franchise.

Eight teams were looking for a head coach after the regular season ended. All of those vacancies are filled.

The Atlanta Falcons were the only team to announce a formal interview with Belichick. The Washington Commanders also reportedly expressed interest in the six-time Super Bowl winner.

"When I was a free agent, there [were] a lot of teams that didn't want me. ... There are a lot of things that happen, that for one reason or another, don't go the way you think they should go," Brady said.

Belichick, 71, wrote a letter to Patriots fans, published Sunday in the Boston Globe. The full-page message thanked his supporters.

"Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England, and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power," Belichick wrote.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also commented on Belichick during his annual Super Bowl week news conference Monday in Las Vegas. He called the longtime coach "extraordinary" and hinted that he would remain "around the game."

"I've talked to him since the end of the season," Goodell said. ""I think he's done so much for this league. He's changed the game in many ways. He's brought innovation and I don't think anyone can take anything away from his record, whether he is coaching or not.

"I think he'll be missed. But I have a feeling he'll still be around the game somehow."

Belichick's 302 wins rank third in NFL history, 44 ahead of Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Belichick trails only Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318) on the all-time wins list.