Tom Brady Denies Patriots OC Josh McDaniels Rift Rumors: 'Brothers for Life'

Tom Brady did not leave the New England Patriots because of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to the 42-year-old quarterback's Instagram story.

"Please stop this nonsense!" Brady wrote overtop a screenshot of a report earlier Monday that his "deteriorating relationship" with McDaniels played a role in his decision to depart New England for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during free agency in March. "Please be more responsible with reporting. 19 years together and brothers for life."

NFL reporter Gary Myers originally reported that "Tom was worn out by Josh after all these years" and wanted more involvement in the offensive game plan, but his tweet has been deleted.

Brady played for New England, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, for 20 seasons and won an all-time-most six Super Bowl titles with the franchise.

McDaniels arrived to New England as a personnel assistant in 2001 before becoming a defensive assistant (2002-03), quarterbacks coach (2004-05) and offensive coordinator plus quarterbacks coach (2006-08, 2012 to the present).

Brady explained why he wanted to sign a two-year contract with the Bucs through The Players' Tribune on April 6:

"A lot of veteran players were mentors to me during my years as a Patriot. They were there for me when I signed a second contract. They were there for Super Bowl wins, and when I got married. They saw me develop, and grow, and eventually start a family. Along with the opportunity to win championships, the support of older teammates is an amazing part of playing for a team. Doing whatever I can to help younger players evolve as people and players matters a lot to me. I've learned so much during my 20 years in New England—and I want to bring those things to a new team.

"Right now, though, I have things to prove to myself. The only way is through. If I don't go for it, I'll never know what I could have accomplished."

Brady also told NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran that he is not motivated by anybody who doubts he can translate his New England successes with Bill Belichick and McDaniels to the Buccaneers at 43 years old.

"The main motivation I have is the love of the sport and that I want to continue to do something I love to do," the future Hall of Famer wrote via email. "It's not any more difficult than that."

Regardless of what led Brady to finish his career outside of New England, the three-time NFL MVP will be tasked with leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.