Mike McDaniels Scolding Tyreek Hill Like Bill Belichick Teaching Tom Brady the ‘Patriots Way’: Chad Johnson

In a recent chat with Shannon Sharpe on Nightcap, former wide receiver Chad Johnson talked about Mike McDaniels scolding Tyreek Hill, likening it to Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Belichick created an environment where players are expected to put the team above personal accomplishments, prioritize preparation, and work hard.

Johnson’s comparison sheds light on McDaniels’ coaching philosophy and his commitment to maintaining a winning culture within the organization. McDaniels’ decision to address Hill publicly may seem unconventional to some, especially considering the common practice of privately addressing players’ mistakes.

Chad Johnson reflects on McDaniels’ tough talk

McDaniels called Tyreek out and said, “Reek, you’re supposed to be the f—— best player in the f—— league and you got this guy putting hands all over you like that. We pay you all this money for what?”. Remembering this moment, Johnson said, “When I first got to New England… Bill Belichick used the first meeting to grill Tom Brady… putting up plays, ‘This is why we’re home and this is what we’re not going to do this year.’ He got into Tom Brady in the meeting… If I’m not mistaken, you never talk to your quarterback, you never chastise your quarterback in front of a team.” 

Chad further stated that was the first time he saw it and at that point, he understood “the Patriot Way.” However, Johnson’s statements suggest that such methods can be effective in motivating players and holding them to a higher standard. For twenty years, the Patriots led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick dominated the NFL and people called it “The Patriot Way,” yet Brady says he never used that term.

Tom Brady dissects “The Patriot Way”

During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Brady explained, “I’ve never used that term in my entire life. I think when people say it, I’m always like, ‘What’s the Patriot Way’? It sounds like the title of a book.” Instead, Brady described how the team focused on doing things the “right” way. They believed in teamwork and shared goals. “What happened on game day was ultimately a reflection of what we practiced,” Brady said.

He further talked about the importance of selflessness among players. “We had so many guys that really understood that, ‘Okay I’m going to care about my teammates and I’m going to care about helping the team win,'” Brady added. Tom praised the offensive line, tight ends, and blockers for their crucial roles in the team’s success. “When we scored touchdowns, we would celebrate with the offensive line, because without them we didn’t have anything,” he said.

Brady’s comments shed light on the true mantra of the Patriots’ success. The GOAT believes it’s simply about doing things properly and prioritizing teamwork.