Tom Brady re-followed the New England Patriots‘ Instagram page after days of controversy, but his selective social media activity tells a different story.
The seven-time champion still hasn’t re-followed head coach Mike Vrabel, sophomore quarterback Drake Maye, or offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels despite the public pressure that built throughout Super Bowl 60 week.
The drama began when Patriots fans discovered Brady had unfollowed not just the franchise account but key figures within the organization.
The timing couldn’t have been worse, coming as New England prepared for their Super Bowl matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
What started as mild curiosity quickly spiraled into a full-blown controversy as the fanbase interpreted the unfollows as Brady distancing himself from his former team.
Brady attempted damage control by posting a supportive message for Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the big game. He encouraged Kraft to win a seventh ring so they could “match,” referencing his own championship total. The gesture seemed designed to quiet speculation about tension between Brady and the franchise that made him a legend.
It didn’t work. New England fans had already showcased all the signs that come with abandonment issues, treating the unfollows as a personal betrayal. The fact that Brady only partially reversed course by re-following the team account while ignoring Vrabel, Maye, and McDaniels only added fuel to the fire.
Broadcasting neutrality doesn’t explain selective follows
Some observers speculated that Brady was maintaining professional distance as a broadcaster. This was only his second time calling the Super Bowl from the booth, and he had past ties to both teams competing in Super Bowl 60. The theory suggested he wanted to appear neutral rather than showing favoritism toward his former franchise.
That explanation falls apart under scrutiny. Brady‘s post supporting Kraft directly undermined any claim of neutrality. You can’t publicly root for one team’s owner to win another championship while simultaneously arguing you’re staying professionally detached. The messaging contradicted itself.
A quick search of Brady‘s following list reveals the extent of his selective activity. He’s not following Vrabel, Maye, or McDaniels. Curiously, he’s also not following Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, though that omission received far less attention given Brady‘s lack of history with that franchise.
The whole situation became even more awkward when the game itself turned into a blowout. Seattle‘s top ranked scoring defense shut New England out for three full quarters, only beginning to concede points once the outcome was already decided.
The Seahawks effectively dominated the Patriots from start to finish, making Brady‘s pre game support for Kraft look even more hollow in retrospect.