Former New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins was Tom Brady's teammate for three-plus seasons, so he understands how synonymous Brady is with the Pats franchise.

This is partly why Collins is still shocked Brady decided to leave the Patriots for the sunny weather in Tampa after the six-time Super Bowl champion signed with the Buccaneers.

Collins also iterated he hopes the Bucs surround Brady with the weapons he needs to succeed, and he said the notion of Brady playing for Tampa will not feel real until the first time he sees him in uniform (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk):

“Collins, the linebacker who recently arrived in Detroit, told reporters there that he was stunned the Patriots and Brady didn’t find a way to stay together.

‘Oh, man,' Collins said, via the Detroit Free Press. ‘I still don’t believe it.'

Collins said he hopes the Bucs can build a great team around Brady.

‘I hope he gets everybody he needs and deserves cause he definitely deserves it,' Collins said. ‘It don’t feel real, man. I just can’t wait to see it. I need to see it on Sunday.'”

Brady had given his heart and soul to the Patriots for 20 seasons in perhaps the most historic run of any quarterback in NFL history. But his patience with the organization began to wane in the final seasons, and he will start a new chapter in Tampa.

Collins — who signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions — will have the opportunity to face Brady and the Bucs, as the Lions are set to host Tampa Bay at home in 2020.