A Timeline: How Brady replaced Bledsoe and sparked Pats dynasty originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Apple TV+’s new “The Dynasty” docuseries tells the story of the New England Patriots’ incredible 20-year run led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. However, that story can’t properly be told without Brady’s predecessor.
The first two episodes of the series explain how Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots’ No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, went from face of the franchise to benchwarmer. A devastating injury just months after signing a 10-year contract cost Bledsoe his job in New England as head coach Bill Belichick stuck with Brady as his starter.
That decision sparked an unprecedented run for the Patriots, who won six Super Bowl titles in 20 years with Brady under center. But what happened to Bledsoe? And what were the events leading up to that franchise-altering injury?
Learn all about the former Patriots quarterback’s career and more below:
1993 – 2000: New era in New England
The Patriots owned the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft after a brutal 2-14 season that marked their sixth straight year without a playoff berth. They were the black sheep of the Boston sports family with only 14 wins across their last four seasons, all ending with a losing record.
New England used the top pick to select Drew Bledsoe out of Washington State, where he earned a reputation as a gunslinger with 7,373 yards, 532 completions, and 46 touchdowns in 34 starts. He represented a fresh start in Foxboro and instantly earned the starting job, helping to up the Patriots’ win total from two to five as a rookie.
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The 1994 season — headlined by Robert Kraft purchasing the team in January — began poorly for Bledsoe and the Patriots. After a 3-6 start to the season, they found themselves down 20-3 to the Minnesota Vikings at halftime. Bledsoe led New England…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/timeline-brady-replaced-bledsoe-sparked-205700037.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-02-16 21:54:25
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