Tom Brady unretiring would add another chapter to complex Jimmy Garoppolo relationship after New England Patriots split

TOM Brady's relationship with Jimmy Garoppolo has fans comparing it to acclaimed HBO series Succession.

Should Brady come out of retirement once again to replace his former protégé at the Las Vegas Raiders, it would add another chapter to an already complex association.

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In 2014, Garoppolo was drafted by the New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as the clear heir apparent to the ageing Brady.

After selecting the Eastern Illinois quarterback in the second round, Belichick made a point of saying: "We know what Tom's age and contract situation is."

While it was clear that Brady, then 36, would not be hanging up his boots any time soon, the Patriots were preparing for the moment when Father Time would eventually catch up with the NFL legend.

"I don’t think you want to have one quarterback on your team, Belichick added. 

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"I don’t think that’s responsible to the entire team or the organization."

Brady was not just surprised by the arrival of Garoppolo, he was clearly hurt by the move as well.

"Coach Belichick referenced my age to me, referenced it to the media," Brady said in the ESPN docuseries Man in the Arena.

"And in my mind, I was thinking, 'What are you...talking about?' 

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"And I think he was just referencing, well, you know, not many quarterbacks have ever played and been successful late in their career. And that's just a fact.

"Of course for me, I was just like, 'I don't care about any of those things'."

Garoppolo and Brady had a healthy but competitive relationship during their time together at the Patriots.

"We got along, but there were always times where we wanted to kill each other," Garoppolo told Bleacher Report.

But it appeared there was real tension between the two, mainly from Brady towards the newcomer who impressed in the few chances he was given.

During his rookie season in 2014, Garoppolo played in six total games, completing 19 of 27 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown.

After barely playing in 2015, Garoppolo's big chance came when Brady was given a four-game suspension to start the 2016 season due to the 'Deflategate' controversy.

In Week 1, Garoppolo led the Patriots to a 23-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, completing 24 of 33 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown. 

The following week, he threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins before he suffered a shoulder injury.

According to an ESPN report that came out in 2018, Garoppolo set up a visit at one of Brady's TB12 Sports Therapy Center franchises to get treatment.

However, when he arrived no one was there while none of the TB12 trainers answered his phone calls.

Instead, Garoppolo ended up visiting team trainers instead that evening.

The report adds that Garoppolo was treated at TB12 two weeks after he showed up for his original appointment, and only after a high-ranking Patriots staffer inquired about why he was not seen initially.

That injury kept Garoppolo sidelined for two games, with Jacoby Brissett filling in until Brady returned from suspension.

Tensions came to a head in 2017, with Brady seeking to secure a long-term extension to play until his 40s while Garoppolo refused a new contract to remain a backup.

According to ESPN, Brady met with Robert Kraft about a new deal, with the Patriots owner then ordering Belichick to trade away Garoppolo.

After Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, Brady was seen in a jovial mood around the Patriots practice facility.

"He won," a Patriots staffer said of Brady, who remained at the team through the 2019 season.

Now six years on, Brady's relationship with Garoppolo could take another turn following major uncertainties around Garoppolo's health and fitness after he signed a three-year, $72.75million contract with the Raiders in March.

With Brady poised to secure a minority investment in the Raiders, rumors have swirled that the 45-year-old could come out of retirement for a second time as a potential replacement for the injured Garoppolo.

Earlier this week, NFL icon-turned-analyst Troy Aikman said he could see Brady suiting up for the Raiders.

"I don't want to speak for Tom ... (But) I wouldn't rule anything out," the Hall of Fame quarterback told TMZ.

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"I would bet that nothing’s off the table, as far as what may occur during the season, or what Tom’s role may be."

Even if Garoppolo overcomes his foot injury and plays for the Raiders, Brady's presence will loom large in the background.