Ever since Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady decided he was leaving the New England Patriots to start the next chapter of his football career, there have been reports of underlying tension brewing between Brady and the organization.

In many ways, these reports seemed to suggest Brady's departure was inevitable, and former teammate Kevin Faulk thinks it was the right time for the two sides to part ways.

Although Faulk–who was a running back with the Patriots from 1999 to 2011–said nobody actually envisioned Brady leaving the Pats, he acknowledged it as probably meant to be (via Nick Kosko of 247 Sports):

“We all knew it was a possibility,” Faulk said. “I don't think everybody took it seriously. But he did and the organization did and it happened that way. No one who is a Patriots fan or played with him saw that coming but he earned the right to make that decision.

“The timing was right. It was that feel. I can’t tell you personally why he did it but the time was right. It was that feeling you have, kind of like when me and my wife bought a house in Baton Rouge a month or two ago.”

Brady signed a two-year deal to become the new quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Whereas the Patriots were one of the most dynastic franchises of the last two decades, the Bucs have not made the playoffs since 2007. Nevertheless, Brady will be surrounded by a pair of Pro Bowl wideouts in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as a defensive unit that brought back all of the core pieces.

Brady's decision to leave New England is a tough pill to swallow for Pats fans. But as Faulk noted, clearly this was the best time for Brady to transition to a new period of his football career.