Brady rejects notion he celebrated Garoppolo trade

The New England Patriots continue to distance themselves from ESPN's Seth Wickersham's report of dissension within the team.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady made a radio appearance Tuesday morning and rejected the notion that he celebrated the trade of backup Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers in October.

Wickersham reported that Brady "seemed liberated" and was spotted at practice "hollering and cajoling" after the deal was made.

"I think that's just such a poor characterization of anything. In 18 years, I've never celebrated when someone has been traded, been cut," Brady said on WEEI's Kirk and Callahan Show, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports. "I would say that's disappointing to hear that someone would express that, or a writer would express that, because it's so far from what my beliefs are about my teammates."

Brady went on to share that he maintains relationships with many of his former backups.

"I would never, ever feel that way about when Jimmy got traded, when Jacoby (Brissett) got traded. I've kept in touch with all those guys," he said. "When Matt Cassel was gone. All these guys I've worked with, I felt like I had such a great relationship with all the quarterbacks I've worked with. I kept in touch with basically everybody. So to characterize that as a certain way is just completely, completely wrong."

In the days since the ESPN story came to light, the Patriots released a joint statement from Brady, coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft denying any suggestion of a rift among the trio. Belichick also confirmed that he intends to return to the Patriots, despite reports to the contrary.

"I think it's up to everybody to believe what they want to believe," Brady said.