Early this morning, ESPN's Seth Wickersham posted an article about the New England Patriots titled, "For Kraft, Brady and Belichick, Is This The Beginning of The End?"
The piece detailed significant disagreements this season, including a controversy surrounding the trade of backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo, which could lead to the breakup of the owner-coach-QB relationship that has won five Super Bowls over the last 17 years.
In wake of the story, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady released a joint statement, and the trio says the report contains material that is "unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated, or flat our inaccurate."
"For the past 18 years, the three of us have enjoyed a very good and productive working relationship. In recent days, there have been multiple media reports that have speculated theories that are unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated or flat out inaccurate. The three of us share a common goal. We look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the postseason and the opportunity to work together in the future, just as we have for the past 18 years. It is unfortunate that there is even a need for us to respond to these fallacies. As our actions have shown, we stand united."
The Patriots, having secure the No.1 seed in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, will be watching from home this weekend as the Wildcard Round gets underway.