What will happen to the New England Patriots if Tom Brady departs via free agency this offseason? Will Bill Belichick still work his magic? Or will the Patriots decline?

An NFC assistant coach seems to think the latter will occur:

“Tom can turn a non-playoff team into one, and a playoff team into a Super Bowl team,” said the coach, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. “The Patriots will take several steps back if he leaves.”

It's hard to disagree with that assessment.

Since Brady took over as New England's starting quarterback in 2001, the Pats have won six Super Bowl titles to assert themselves as arguably the most impressive dynasty in NFL history.

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Before Brady arrived, the Patriots had never won a Super Bowl, so that right there should tell you just how incredibly valuable the 42-year-old has been to the franchise.

More and more momentum appears to be building toward Brady leaving New England when he officially hits the free-agent market later this month, with the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders emerging as potential landing spots.

Of course, there is still time for Brady and the Pats to work things out, but Brady recently had a conversation with Belichick, and it apparently did not move the needle all that much.

Perhaps Tom Brady will be convinced to stay with the Patriots once he sits down with owner Robert Kraft, but as of right now, there seems to be a legitimate chance that Brady has played his last game in a Patriots uniform.