For Brandon Bolden, the most destabilizing stretch of his NFL career began in the 2018 offseason. He had been diagnosed with cancer, undergone surgery, and left his future with the New England Patriots dependent on a promise from head coach Bill Belichick. But days passed, communication went quiet, and the situation he believed was temporary began to unravel.

In a recent episode of Games with Names, hosted by former Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, Bolden opened up about what really happened. “The year I found out I had cancer, I had surgery and didn’t do any offseason work,” Bolden said.

He explained that Bill Belichick told him the team would release him briefly and then sign him back. “In my mind, that was a one- or two-day thing. Come day four, Dola’s pissed, my agent’s pissed, and I’m just confused because I’ve been sitting in the house. My agent calls me and says, “You ain’t heard nothing from us?” I said, “No, I haven’t talked to him.” He goes, “Cut your phone off”…As soon as my phone cuts on, Dola’s on the phone. “What did it take for you to come to Miami?” I said, “What do you mean, come to Miami?” He said, “Bro, don’t worry about it. Just tell me how much.” I told him, “I don’t care.” He said, “All right,” and hung up, he shared.

The Miami Dolphins offered Bolden a deal to play the season. He informed Belichick about the offer, expecting a clear response. Instead, he realized New England planned to bring him back for the same deal as before. With no clear support and time running out, Bolden chose Miami and flew out the next day.

That decision marked the first major break in a career that had largely been built on reliability rather than guarantees. Bolden had carved out his role in New England as a versatile running back and core special teams contributor, trusted in pass protection, receiving situations, and late-game snaps. Though rarely featured, he played meaningful roles on two Super Bowl–winning teams and remained a steady presence on a roster that routinely turned over at the margins. But what made that offseason heavier was how abruptly it followed one of the most frightening moments of Bolden’s life.

During the Patriots’ 2018 playoff run, Bolden had taken a hit under the chin that sent intense pain through his face. He played through it, assuming it was nothing more than another football injury. Only after the Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia did he seek further testing, which led to doctors calling him with news they believed was cancer.

Bolden was diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a rare cancer that develops in the salivary glands and can spread into bone. Surgery removed the tumor along with part of his skull, requiring doctors to place a metal plate behind it. While the operation left him cancer-free, it also left him temporarily unable to control one side of his face, forcing him to relearn basic expressions and adjust to lasting physical changes.

As he recovered at home, surrounded by his wife and children, the league calendar kept moving. After being cut during final roster decisions in 2018, Bolden spent the season in Miami before returning to New England as a free agent in 2019. His second stint produced some of his most productive receiving work, including career highs in catches during the 2021 season. When that run ended, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2022, reuniting with former Patriots staff and extending a career defined by adaptability rather than star billing.

By now, Bolden may be done playing in the NFL, but his life is still full of action. These days, it is less about game plans and more about school events, practices, and time with his kids.

Brandon Bolden finds his joy in family life after football

Speaking on the Games with Names podcast, Bolden shared how life looks now.

“I’m trying to figure out what’s next, staying in shape, and running behind my kids,” he said.

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With four children aged 14, 8, 6, and 2, his days are packed with dance recitals, football practice, and weightlifting sessions. He also said having time to eat lunch at school with his daughters has been one of the coolest parts of retirement.

Bolden talked proudly about watching his kids grow. One daughter is learning to read, another is fearless and full of energy, and his youngest keeps him on his toes. His son stands out too, balancing football, track, powerlifting, and a strong academic record with a 4.2 GPA. For him, the biggest win now is not on the field. It is seeing his kids work hard, improve, and enjoy their own journeys. That feeling, he said, matches any football high he ever had.