FOXBORO Inside the Patriots locker room after Saturdays 20-13 Wild Card playoff loss to the Titans, words flowed. But the pauses, those spoke loudest.

Because to a man, in the face of the same question, silence came first. Not born out of confusion or sadness. It was helplessness.

The brief inability to wrap their minds and arms around a force of nature; one of the strongest in sports and consequently their professional lives. How to capture it by answering

What has playing with Tom Brady meant to you?

Bradys contract is set to void in March because of an agreement he reached with the team in August. The trade-off for Brady, who didnt receive a firm, desired extension, was language in the deal that prohibits the the Patriots from placing the franchise tag on him and keeping him in New England on a 1-year deal with preset terms.

Therefore its possible, 20 years after launching his legendary career, Brady has played his last game as a Patriot.

As one of the newest Pats, whos comparatively spent little time with Brady, Cody Kessler triggered his answer quickest.

Life-changing, he called it.

A third-string quarterback who originally signed in September, then was released and later returned, Kessler didnt take an offensive snap this season. He did, however, take a ton of notes. Kessler admitted to observing Brady constantly and documenting everything about him, down to how the 42-year-old carried himself.

Getting to work with Tom is something thats been so valuable to me and is something thats absolutely going to help me in my career, Kessler said. The way he works, the way he practices, the way he prepares off the field, the way he talks to the team, the attitude he always has when he comes in this building is awesome. Being able to replicate that as best I can is something Im going to try to carry moving forward.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Matthew Slater. The Pats longtime special teams captain has spent more seasons with Brady than anyone in the locker room aside from kicker Stephen Gotskowski. He was drafted by the Patriots in 2008, Bradys ninth year.

Its been the experience of a lifetime. You really cant put it into words, Slater said. Whatever you dream of as a kid playing with a great quarterback and having all those great experiences and winning Super Bowls its exceeded that. And I think I say that because of the person Tom is.

Two dozen lockers down, Pats center Ted Karras echoed those thoughts. Karras has never been closer to Brady. Literally. The two were in contact most offensive snaps this season, with Karras filling in for the sidelined David Andrews all year.

He, like Kessler, aspires to be like Brady. Just in a different sense.

Between (Patriots offensive line coach) Dante Scarnecchia and Tom Brady, I dont think theres two men I would want to emulate my life after more than those two, Karras said. Being a father and a person and a worker. Its been special.

Less than a year ago, Jakobi Meyers was readying himself to transition out of college and into pro football. The young receiver eventually went undrafted and signed in New England, unsure if hed stick around. Soon enough, he was stuck with the greatest quarterback of all time.

Brady began throwing with him in individual sessions during spring practices. Just the two of them, first-round receiver NKeal Harry and former backup Brian Hoyer. A dream for a rookie wideout, which continued all the way through Saturday night.

Its what made the finish for him so visibly painful.

Special. I just wish I couldve done more just to help, make something special for him, Meyers said. But it was a blessing to be here, if this is his last year. Im definitely going to hold on to that and appreciate that. He definitely set a blueprint for me in my professional career.

A blueprint for Meyers and all those like him; the Patriot teammates happily in orbit of one of the greatest stars pro football has ever known.

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Patriots reflect on life-changing experience playing with Tom Brady - Boston Herald