Tom Brady Reportedly Forced Jimmy Garoppolo Trade; Patriots Involved in Rift

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ESPN.com is reportedly preparing to publish a piece by Seth Wickersham on Friday that will detail a rift between New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. 

According to Boston Sports Media Watch's Bruce Allen, the article focuses on "a power struggle among the trio as to who deserves the most credit for the dynasty."

Allen added the article claims "the rift is so severe many Patriots feel this is the last year together for the trio" and that Brady "went to Kraft to force Belichick to trade" Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Wickersham's full report has since gone live. 

There have been rumblings of discord between Brady and Belichick throughout the 2017 season stemming from Belichick's decision to ban Brady's trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero, from boarding the team plane or standing on the sideline, per the Boston Globe's Bob Hohler. Guerrero is also reportedly no longer allowed to work with Patriots players other than Brady. 

According to Hohler, those decisions have "created some friction in Foxborough." 

Belichick has since declined to address the details of the report. 

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"Yeah, this is another one with no sources, right? Yup," Belichick said, per NESN's Doug Kyed. "I'm not gonna get into that. Yeah, because (the sources are) not mentioned."

The Patriots, who clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed after going 13-3, are aiming to repeat as Super Bowl champions and capture the franchise's sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy with Brady and Belichick at the helm.