For the first time in twenty years, the Patriots are entering an off-season where they don’t know who their quarterback will be next season. Tom Brady’s impending free agency is likely to be the first major domino to fall after the falsification period begins March 16 and the new league year begins two days later.
Given Brady’s stature of being arguably the biggest quarterback to have played in the NFL, each of his movements will be microscopic, dissected and taken until he finally makes his decision on his to come up. We would argue that Brady clearly still has magic in the tank, but the only question that remains is where will these last years of Brady magic ultimately take place. Sure, he could easily choose to reconnect with the Patriots when the dust settles, but there will be a lot of teams lined up with terrain that hopefully will be enough to get him out of Foxborough permanently.
Hey, if Joe Montana, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre can all leave the teams they are most recognized for, Brady too.
With this in mind, we have decided to compile a hub for all Brady-related news as we approach the free agency. Here you will find all the updates on the movements of TB12, what it should gain in the open market, potential landing points and much more. We will start by breaking down Brady’s best landing sites, its projected contract value and a brief screening report on what it currently offers. After diving into this, we will provide the latest updates and rumors as they occur.
“Let’s go!”
Brady’s best landings
Tom Brady is going to have a number of contenders waiting for him when he can legally speak to other clubs. After all, the team that eventually signs Brady will immediately have a championship window open to them in much the same way that Peyton Manning transformed the Denver Broncos in 2012. Earlier this offseason, CBS NFL senior writer Will Brinson pointed out all possible landing points for Brady this offseason, which includes these teams below.
Aside from returning to the Patriots, the Chargers and Raiders were the teams most closely linked to Brady, while the Buccaneers were also nicknamed a “sleeping giant” in the contest by Peter King of NBC Sports.
Earlier this off-season, I have classified the possible destinations for Brady, strictly according to what they have on their respective lists and what they could bring on board in free agency. In this ranking, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took first place thanks to their already internal weapons from Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and OJ Howard, as well as their solid defense and a top 10 offensive line. It is true that Brady finished by moving to Tampa Bay, but they are currently making an attractive destination simply because of their talent on the list. The New England Patriots ranked fifth on this list-based list.
Favorite: The Giants (see below).
Projected market value for Brady
The folks at Spotrac, one of the leaders in NFL contracts and salary cap information, projected Brady’s market value during this free agency period. They predict that the veteran quarterback could see a two-year contract offer of around $ 67.8 million, which equates to about $ 33.8 million a year. From an AAV perspective, this deal would place Brady ahead of Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. Russell Wilson, meanwhile, is said to be only about $ 1.2 million above Brady.
Screening report on Brady (advantages and disadvantages):
Benefits:
- Effective for quickly removing the ball (66.67 percent complete with <2.5 seconds in pocket)
- Continue to keep turnover to a minimum (eight interceptions in 2019)
- Can still play at an elite level with capable pass catchers around him (Patriots receivers had 34 drops in 2019, ranking second in the entire NFL)
- Durable – hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2008
- Championship pedigree
The inconvenients:
- Age / short window – Will be 43 years of age at the start of the regular season
- Can no longer carry a team alone
- Motionless
- Begins to break down over the season
Colts and Giants out of the race for TB12
Tuesday March 3: Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants May Be Removed from Tom Brady’s List of Potential Landing Sites, Says Albert Breer from MMQB. Breer developed this statement: “We told him quite categorically that neither of the two clubs would be in the mix”. The Chargers, Titans and Buccaneers were among the clubs still competing for Brady’s services, through Breer, with the Patriots. Breer also said the owner, Robert Kraft, would not interfere with the final decision of head coach Bill Belichick.
Tom Brady wants to play with Antonio Brown again
Monday March 2: According to an ESPN report, sources in Antonio Brown’s camp said that Brady had stayed in “constant contact” with the talented, but troubled wide receiver. Brady even told Brown to stay in good physical and mental shape so they have a chance to play again wherever Brady signs this off-season. Brady and Brown had only had a week together before being released by the Patriots. In this week 2 Dolphins eruption, the two connected on four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Given Brown’s talent, it would make sense for Brady to want to play alongside him. That said, Brown has a few legal questions and an ongoing NFL investigation into the allegations of sexual assault before he can think about signing up with another club.
Dalton could be plan B for New England if Brady gets carried away
Monday March 2: In the event that Tom Brady chooses to take his talents elsewhere in 2020, the NFL Network suggests that the Patriots could one of the teams reach out to Cincinnati to see if they could bring veteran Andy Dalton to QB1. Dalton – who threw for 3,494 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2019 – will be kicked out by the Bengals as they kick off LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with first choice in the 2020 NFL Draft. 32 wouldn’t be the worst option, but it seems that New England’s priority is to bring Brady back. It is simply plan B, C, D or X.
Aren’t the Raiders all-in on Tom Brady?
Monday March 2: The Las Vegas Raiders were one of the main teams linked to Tom Brady while he was at the gates of free agency. While finger pointed to Sin City as a possible destination beyond New England for TB12, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston notes that Vegas isn’t totally all-in on trying to ink Brady to a deal, but will take the call if the quarterback representation reaches. Curran also reports that – despite the fact that the two parties did not meet at the NFL Combine – “texts have been sent” and that “Bill Belichick is not freezing Brady”.
Julian Edelman says Tom Brady is “coming back”
Saturday February 29: Tom Brady was spotted during the Syracuse-UNC match this weekend and seated with Patriots catcher Julian Edelman and “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon. As the trio was broadcast on national television, Edelman told the camera “he comes back, he comes back” while pointing to Brady. The quarterback looked less than satisfied with Edelman’s comments as he shook his head. Does Edelman really have Brady’s official word, or is the receiver just keeping his quarterback in New England? Only these two (and possibly Fallon) know for sure.
Don’t the foals show much interest in Brady?
Friday February 28: Stephen Holder of Athletic reports that the Indianapolis Colts have not engaged in any discussion with Brady’s camp. Despite previous reports that said Brady’s representatives would meet Indy at the NFL recruiting meeting, Holder cites an anonymous league source who notes that the Colts’ connection was not accurate. Having said that, Holder admits that things could change for the Colts, who are looking to switch from Jacoby Brissett, if Brady, in fact, enters the free market on March 18. Currently, fellow NFL quarterback Philip Rivers appears to be the favorite to land at Indy.
CBA talks could be what delays Brady’s talks
Thursday February 27: ESPN Adam Schefter Points Out That Current CBA Discussions could be what delays contract negotiations between Brady and the Patriots. A source told Schefter: “Without knowing the ABC, this conversation cannot take place.”
If the NFL and NFLPA agree on a new CBA, it could make things a little easier in New England’s attempt to re-sign Brady. In this case, they would not have to follow the “30% rule”, which would essentially limit what they could offer him in a new contract. A new ABC would also offer the opportunity to re-attach cancellable years to Brady’s contract to make his cap a little more palatable.
Patriots still haven’t reached out to Brady
Thursday, February 27: Hopes of a Brady’s meeting with the Patriots has taken a beating as ESPN’s Jeff Darlington noted on Get up! that he would be “stunned if Brady returned to New England”. Darlington has long reported that Brady is unlikely to re-sign and is now quoting people “very close” to the quarterback, who tells them that a meeting “is not going to happen”. In addition to Darlington’s report, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald notes that the Patriots have still not reached out to Brady and a source noted: “It doesn’t look good”.
Combine the buzz: three teams connected to Brady, including the Giants
Wednesday February 26: In one of the most startling reports (or rumors, or whatever you want to call the combine), the Giants were one of three teams named as Brady’s best contender if he left the Patriots in free agency.
Michael Giardi of NFL Network, a former Patriots reporter, passed on an interesting nugget he collected from league leaders on Wednesday.
“The initial reaction was,” There is no way that Tom Brady will leave New England “,” Giardi Tweeted Scouting Combine. “But as you dig, the executives / coaches / scouts see the Titans, the Raiders and the Giants as possible contenders.”
When Cody Benjamin broke down, the breadcrumb trail linking Brady to the Giants dates back to January, and several previous reports linked him to the future Hall of Famer in New York. It can’t hurt that the Giants’ new head coach, Joe Judge, is coming to New York from New England.
Patriots meet agent Tom Brady at NFL Scouting Combine
Tuesday February 25: According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Patriots should meet with Tom Brady’s agent, Don Yee, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. This is the time of year when agents start talking to teams of their future free agent clients, so this shouldn’t be a shock. This should be a good place, however, for the two sides to at least start the conversation about what it can take to keep Brady in Foxborough.
Ninkovich thinks Brady’s potential exit would harm Pats free agency
Thursday February 20: Former Patriots linebacker turned ESPN NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich spoke with the Boston Herald on some of the impacts that a potential departure from Brady could have on the organization. For years, New England has been able to attract free agents to search for a Super Bowl ring and sign them at a reduced rate. If Brady gets carried away, that could change, says Ninkovich.
“It’s an interesting dynamic,” he told the Boston Herald. “Once Tom understands what’s going on, and if he’s not a New England patriot, the veterans, or other people in the past who say” I’m going to the Patriots to win a Super Bowl, “are they still going?”
If Brady leaves, Ninkovich also thinks it could have an impact on a handful of other veteran free agents for the Patriots like Devin McCourty, Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy, possibly not sticking with the franchise. As for what Brady can do, Ninkovich said he wouldn’t be surprised if Brady goes to prove he can win on his own.
Brady won’t give hints to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon
Tuesday February 18: Oscar-winning actor Boston native Ben Affleck revealed in an interview with ESPN “Get Up” that he and fellow Boston actor Matt Damon actually texted Brady to try to see what his free agency projects are.
“Matt and I texted him, ‘What’s wrong? Are you leaving or staying?’ And this is what we got: an emoji, “said Affleck, while imitating a shoulder emoji” I don’t know “, shrugging.” So I really have no information for you. “
Like most Patriots fans, Affleck has admitted that he hopes and prays that Brady stays in New England.
No free nationwide agency tour for Tom Brady
Monday February 17: With only one month left before the start of free agency, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reports that he is unlikely to have a free agent tour from coast to coast. Instead, Curran reports that he hears that the quarterback “will try to organize meetings in one place instead of creating a circus”.
Curran also noted that the Patriots will not be very vigilant when it comes to forgery, as they are not worried about the financial arguments of other teams. Really, they are focused on building a list on the offensive side of the balloon that would encourage Brady to return to Foxborough for 2020 and possibly beyond.
Raiders ready to go two years at $ 60 million?
Friday February 14: Larry Fitzgerald Sr., longtime NFL reporter, Las Vegas Raiders are ready to offer Brady, a two-year contract worth $ 60 million. Of course, this report must be taken with a grain of salt as Fitzgerald Sr. is not exactly known for announcing NFL news of this caliber. Still, the Raiders will be a team that will certainly try to catch Brady’s ear when it hits the open market in mid-March.
Vegas has been a team – along with the Los Angeles Chargers – that has most often been linked to Brady as a possible threat to get him out of New England. The Raiders could free up $ 13.6 million from their cap by reducing the current Derek Carr QB1, so they have some flexibility to sue Brady if he’s ready to listen. This contract number launched by Fitzgerald Sr. also agrees with what would have been Brady’s magic number from an AAV point of view.
Robert Kraft Doubles Feelings About Brady’s Free Agency
Monday February 10: Patriots owner Robert Kraft attended the Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party and was again invited to say what he hopes will be the result from Brady’s free agency. To that, Kraft simply said, “You know what I want.”
Clearly, he hopes his six-time Super Bowl champion flagman will stay in the same job he has been in for 20 years.
Julian Edelman Begs Brady To Sack The Patriots
Tuesday February 4: Patriots receiver and long-standing safety cover for Tom Brady, Julian Edelman caught on social networks to clarify his views regarding his quarterback’s free will and did so in a rather comical way. Edelman posted a photo of the boombox scene from the movie “Say Anything” with the caption “Baby come back”, while labeling Brady.
Edelman, who signed with the Patriots in the 2021 season, caught 100 balls in 2019 for a career record of 1,117 yards and six touchdowns.
Worrisome Social Media Post Was Just Super Bowl Announcement
Sunday February 2: The Internet exploded with conspiracy theories earlier in the Super Bowl week when Brady posted a rather disturbing black and white photo of himself in the Gillette Stadium tunnel. There was no legend to give the context a context, so many people thought it could foreshadow a departure from Foxborough or something like that.
Ultimately, the message ended up being a piece of a Hulu ad aired during the Super Bowl LIV. Brady joked about joking about retirement in the ad, but then said, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Raiders plan to sue Brady in free agency
Sunday February 2: According ESPN Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders will continue Brady if he becomes a free agent when the new championship year begins in mid-March. Of course, there has been a lot of speculation between Brady and the Raiders since the quarterback was spotted chatting with owner Mark Davis at a UFC event.
Schefter also added that the Patriots and Brady will make a decision about their future long before the start of free agency.
Pats willing to pay $ 30 million a year to keep Brady
Sunday February 2: According Ian Rapoport of the NFL network, the New England Patriots plan to keep Brady at Foxborough and are even willing to pay $ 30 million a season to do so. If that materializes, it would be the highest that the Patriots have paid to Brady during his NFL career. While money is certainly a selling point, placing weapons around Brady would be just as vital in the Patriots’ hope of keeping him.
Bucs nicknamed the “sleeping giant”
Thursday January 30: In an appearance on Dale and Keefe of WEEI, Peter King of NBC Sports highlighted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as “sleeping giant” in the race to land Brady in free agency. He points to the weapons Tampa owns in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as the main reasons it could work among other attractive pieces.
“Look, they have a pretty good attacking line and they have two great receivers,” said King in part. “They have a very good young end, and they have a very imaginative head coach and an attacking coordinator in the passing game. I can’t tell you absolutely what they would do or what they will do, but I can tell you they’re fascinating to me because Bruce Arians doesn’t train forever. I think he’s one of those guys who say all quarterbacks, “It would be cool to work for Bruce Arians “because he’s such a fun offensive spirit.”
Sure, it would seem strange that Brady is heading to a lower level market like Tampa Bay, but if he’s only looking for a place to win a championship, that could be an intriguing option.
Gronk: Brady deserves to hit free agency
Tuesday January 28: Former Tom Brady teammate and retired tight end Rob Gronkowski was quite frank in his remarks about the future of the quarterback, saying that he won the right to hit the market and present other offers from the teams. Although he has no direct knowledge of Brady’s intentions, Gronk felt that it was best for him to at least dive his toe in the open waters.
“But I really believe he deserves the opportunity to go explore – to see what’s going on there. He’s been playing for so long, and just the way he plays – just the level he plays – he definitely deserves an opportunity to go there and test the market. “
Joe Montana advises Brady to stay in New England
Monday January 27: While talking to Michael Silver of NFL.com, legendary quarterback Joe Montana, who left the 49ers at the end of his career for the Chiefs, was asked Brady’s advice.
“Don’t do it – if you don’t have to,” Montana said of Brady leaving the Patriots. “It’s a process to go through, and it takes time to get used to the team. I was lucky because (former 49ers coach) Paul Hackett was there to manage the offense, and so I knew three quarters of the offense well enough. And if they let him have his own fault (with a new team), yes, that makes things a little easier. But still, the transition of the move …
“I don’t see how they would let him go myself.”
Derek Carr upset by speculation of cat Brady-Davis at UFC event
Thursday January 23: Las Vegas fans were buzzing when an image from Tom Brady chatting with owner Mark Davis at a UFC event, but current Raiders quarterback Derek Carr seemed a little salty in the tale of Brady’s ouster.
“I mean, there were a lot of quarters in this fight,” Carr told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “And there were a lot of football players in this fight who are free agents. And it’s like, every time, with my work, it’s always a story. Anyway. And knowing some people who were around I even know what the conversation was [between Davis and Brady], and it’s like, ‘Come on, man, when is this going to end?’ “
Prepared to meet other free agency teams
Sunday January 19: According CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, Brady is preparing to discuss his future with teams beyond the Patriots:
“I would be extremely surprised if Brady accepted a new pact with the Patriots before the start of free agency in March, I am told, and although his process may still lead to a return to New England, he is far from ‘Be certain at this point,’ writes La Canfora. “Brady intends to take a methodical approach to his first foray into free agency because, at 42, it will be the last contract in his playing career.”
La Canfora added that Brady will simply search for the destination that will give him the best chance of winning a seventh Lombardi Trophy. Brady’s passion for continuing to play has not diminished, reports La Canfora, and still plans to play until age 45. His report also notes that Brady would be “eager to play the role of mentor for a young quarterback no matter where he plays, hoping to leave a healthy organization in retirement. He said part of his legacy could to be linked to seeing future generations adopt TB12 training and the lifestyle that Brady says helped him play for so long at such a high level. ”
Tom Brady and family reportedly left Boston area
Friday January 17: Several reports have indicated that Brady and his family had left the Boston area and are now living in a new home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Gary Tanguay of NBC Sports Boston reported that Brady has been “bothered” by his compensation compared to the other quarters in the league and is likely to leave the franchise.
Brady’s house in Brookline, Massachusetts was still on the market at the time.
Kraft hopes Brady re-signs with the Patriots or retires
Monday January 6.: Patriots owner Robert Kraft opened up to Peter King of NBC Sports on Brady’s pending free agency and admitted he hopes the quarterback stays in New England or leaves the game altogether. Kraft also gave a window on Brady’s thinking before the 2019 season, noting that it was important for him to switch to free agency.
“Before the season started, it was very important to Tom that he was free to do whatever he wanted at the end of the year,” Kraft told King. “You know what I said to myself? That everyone who plays 20 years for this team and helps us reach six Super Bowls, and was really selfless, deserved this right. I love the young man as if he was part of my family. Blood family. Anyone who did this earned the right to control their future after 20 years. “
Bill Belichick has no timetable for Brady’s decision
Sunday January 5: Bill Belichick quickly replied “No” when asked if there would be any kind of time limit imposed by the franchise for Brady to make a decision about his future. The Patriots’ head coach somewhat recognized the elephant in the room, but did not comment further.
“Honestly, listen, I know it’s over there like there are a lot of other things over there,” he said. “We could ask 50 questions like this, and I told you what my condition is on this. You can ask all 50, and it will be the same answer 50 times. We worked in Tennessee. is 12 hours after play. I’m not going to talk much about the future, because it’s not – I’m not ready to talk about it.
