The news of Tom Brady actually leaving the New England Patriots to depart for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent shockwaves throughout the NFL. It also caught the attention of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

In a recent Instagram post, Smith reached out to Brady to share some advice about switching teams late in his career after spending so much time with one franchise.

“Embrace your new teammates, bring your winning spirit and work ethic to the locker room. Download as much knowledge as you can to these young players who are thirsting for knowledge,” Smith posted Saturday afternoon.

“Most importantly, prepare to realize how much your love for this game is tied to your love for the Patriots and their fans. Good luck to you on your new journey my friend. See you in Canton Goat!”

After starting his career with the Cowboys in 1990, Smith departed the franchise in 2003 for the Arizona Cardinals. He spent the final two seasons of his career in the desert before ultimately deciding to retire.

With Brady already being 43-years-old, it seems likely he won’t play beyond the two-year contract he signed with the Buccaneers. That means he could end up finishing his career in a similar fashion as Smith by spending two seasons with a different team.

The feeling of being ‘squeezed out’ by head coach Bill Belichick would justifiably sour the perception of the Patriots. Emmitt Smith wanted Brady to remember how important the Patriots and their fans were to him despite departing for the Buccaneers.

Regardless of why Brady decided to leave the Patriots, it’s unlikely his relationship with the organization has declined too much. At the end of the day, they won six Super Bowls together and he personally achieved unparalleled individual success.

The next chapter in Tom Brady’s illustrious NFL career will be to compete for a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers. With receiving threats like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and O.J. Howard leading the charge, there’s a lot to like about his supporting cast.