Jimmie Johnson: Bill Belichick Wants Tom Brady To Win

Bill Belichick was the ultimate winner when Tom Brady was his quarterback. This year, Belichick and his New England Patriots went 7-9 without him, while Brady is back in the Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So, who do you think Belichick is rooting for in the Super Bowl? Probably not the Buccaneers, right? It would only make sense for Belichick to root for the Kansas City Chiefs and against Brady. From a competitive standpoint, Belichick probably doesn't want Brady to win another biggie without him.

“He’s rooting for Tom,” former NFL coach Jimmie Johnson said via MSN.

Wait. What? Belichick is pulling for Brady?

"I think Bill Belichick has got to take a lot of pride in developing Tom Brady and making him who he is today," Johnson added. "Obviously Brady had a lot to do with it, his own makeup, but Belichick was guiding the way to make sure he was a great quarterback.”

That actually makes sense. Coaches don't often root against players who have been such a major part of their own careers -- and Belichick and Brady went to nine Super Bowls together, winning six of them. If Brady wins another, he will have more Super Bowl victories than any other team.

Belichick is surely aware of all this. And according to Johnson, he is rooting for Brady anyway. Of course, probably of greater concern for Belichick is trying to get back there himself. Without Brady, it may be a while.

Super Bowl LV is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. EST in Tampa.