New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady played down his friendship with US President Donald Trump on Monday, a day after steering his team into a Super Bowl showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.

Brady, who is preparing for his seventh Super Bowl following the Patriots' 36-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, told Boston's WEEI radio he was baffled by questions over his links to Trump.

"Why does everybody make such a big deal?" Brady said. "I don't understand it."