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The countdown to Super Bowl LX is on, and a familiar shadow looms over New England. Tom Brady has unfollowed the New England Patriots' official Instagram account, a move first noticed days before the Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks on football's biggest stage.
The unfollow appeared this week, just after Brady said publicly that he has no rooting interest in Super Bowl LX and hopes "the best team wins." Notably, Brady continues to follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Instagram, the franchise he joined after leaving New England and with whom he won Super Bowl LV.
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The timing turned a routine social media change into a league-wide talking point.
"Look, I don't have a dog in the fight in this one...
Brady's position, on the record
Brady addressed his stance during an appearance on the Let's Go! podcast, framing the Patriots' return as a "new chapter" and praising the work of head coach Mike Vrabel and the current roster. He emphasized distance rather than detachment, suggesting that his era in Foxborough is complete while the franchise moves forward.
Why this gesture is striking a nerve now
The reaction is amplified because this season marks a shift from recent years. After a brief downturn following Brady's departure and the end of the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl under Vrabel. In previous post-Brady seasons, the quarterback acknowledged the organization with visible warmth.
This year's neutrality, paired with the unfollow, feels like a change in tone at the exact moment New England has reclaimed relevance.
Former teammates weigh in
Responses from Brady's former teammates were swift. ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi said on Boston radio that he is firmly backing Vrabel and the Patriots, praising how the team wins and the identity it has rebuilt.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Vince Wilfork criticized Brady's neutrality during a separate radio appearance, arguing that lifelong ties carry expectations when the franchise reaches this level again. Former cornerback Asante Samuel also expressed disappointment publicly.
Not everyone took a hard line. Rob Gronkowski, speaking on Up & Adams, backed the Patriots and welcomed the return of the team's familiar role as a lightning rod around the league.
Inside the current locker room
Current players noticed, too. Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane said it made him "sick" to hear Brady claim he has no stake in the outcome, underscoring how deeply Brady's legacy still shapes the organization.
Super Bowl on the horizon
As kickoff approaches, Brady has given no indication he will clarify or change his position. The Patriots, meanwhile, are locked in on the Seahawks and a chance to add another Lombardi Trophy to a franchise once defined by Brady himself.
The unfollow may be subtle, but during Super Bowl week, symbolism travels fast.
Reporting is based on Brady's comments on the Let's Go! podcast, appearances and analysis on ESPN and Boston sports radio WEEI, and coverage from MassLive. Social media activity referenced was verified through public accounts.