Tom Brady‘s contract with the New England Patriots has expired, leading many to question whether the legendary quarterback will retire, remain in Foxboro, or move on to a new team. It was clear that this season was a frustrating one for Brady, given the Pats lack of offensive weapons and struggles to score points. So how will the Tom Brady free agency period end?
It’s easy to see that Brady has no plans to retire, even though he will be turning 43 years old entering the 2020 season. At this stage of his career, Brady must be surrounded by premium offensive talent, which he would not have in New England. It’s also likely that he would prefer to play closer to home. Therefore, the Tom Brady free agency should end him sign with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Tom Brady, Los Angeles Chargers An Ideal Free Agency Pairing
Offensive Weapons
The Chargers are a team stacked with offensive play makers. At wide receiver, Keenan Allen is one of the best route runners in the NFL. He can make plays lined up both in the slot and out wide. Allen would immediately become Brady’s favorite target, similar to Julian Edelman in New England. Mike Williams is another talented wideout with the Chargers. He’s a terrific deep threat, averaging 20 yards per reception this past season. At 6’4, 220 lbs, Williams is a big target that would provide Brady with a menace in the red zone. The addition of Brady would help Williams fulfill some untapped potential.
Hunter Henry is one of the most talented players in the league at the tight end position. He would give Brady another major threat in the red zone. Austin Ekeler is one of the elite pass-catching running backs in the NFL and his skill-set aligns perfectly with Brady, who has thrived on throwing check-downs to his backs. While Melvin Gordon is currently a free agent, he would likely return to the team if they signed Brady. Gordon should return to form with a full off-season of training. Simply put, the Chargers have one of the best skill position groups in the NFL, and that would be an ideal environment for Brady.
Stagnant Fanbase
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2017, the Chargers have struggled to draw fans. They have been forced to play in Dignity Health Sports Park as a temporary home while waiting for the new stadium to be built. This stadium has the lowest seating capacity in the NFL. The Chargers have been the second favorite team in LA, as the stadium has routinely been packed with fans of the opposing team. This has made it incredibly difficult on the Chargers, as it essentially has eliminated the advantage that comes with playing on home field.
The good news is that the Chargers will be moving to Inglewood, California to share a brand new stadium with the Los Angeles Rams. This is a huge opportunity for ownership to revitalize the franchise with renewed fan interest. It’s not only in their best interest to sign Brady from a football perspective, but it’s vital due to the team’s struggles since moving to Los Angeles. Adding Brady, an iconic, California-born quarterback, would do wonders to ignite the fan base.
Outlook
The relationship between Brady and head coach Bill Belichick seems to have been strained in recent years. Belichick was frustrated with the overbearing nature of Brady’s trainer Alex Guerrero back in 2018. The legendary head coach was also upset when the Patriots traded Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers. This indicates that Belichick had plans to transition from Brady to Garoppolo earlier than many thought.
Brady has also put his New England home on the market. It’s clear that the “writing is on the wall” for Brady and the Patriots. NFL fans have seen legendary quarterbacks play for new teams in the past. Joe Montana finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Brett Favre played with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. The time has come for Tom Brady to join some of his predecessors and sign with the Chargers. That’s how the Tom Brady free agency period should end.
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