For the first time in his storied career, Tom Brady is set to be a free agent. The all-time great quarterback has no shortage of suitors and could end up with a wide variety of teams. In this article, we’ll break down all of the most probable fits, why Brady would go to each team, and what could keep him away. If you want to make a quick buck, there are several sports betting websites takings bets on Brady’s new team.
Where Will Tom Brady End Up?
New England Patriots
The most likely spot for Brady is ultimately a return to his longtime team. Even with an underwhelming supporting cast in 2019, the Patriots should represent Brady’s best chance to win another title before calling it a career. Bill Belichick is still a great coach, Brady knows the offense, and the team has all offseason to install a new playbook.
Belichick and Brady reportedly haven’t talked about a new contract, but that has more to do with the upcoming CBA than any reluctance for a reunion. If a new CBA passes, it could be easier for Belichick to create some short-term cap space in any Brady extension. Anything could happen, but there’s a reason New England is the favorite to land Brady.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady’s best chance of winning a title outside of New England lies in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a great head coach in Bruce Arians, an elite wide receiver duo in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and a ridiculous amount of cap space. This team is a quarterback away from being serious contenders, and Arians already said that he’d try to recruit Brady if he hits the open market.
The biggest reason this reunion is unlikely is because of Jameis Winston. The former first-overall pick is one of the most volatile passers in the league and is set to become a free agent of his own. However, it’s hard to imagine Tampa Bay letting Winston go for nothing. For all his faults, Winston has plenty of promise and could flourish during his second year with Arians.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are reportedly willing to offer Brady $30 million per year, which might be enough to entice the former Michigan man to move to the desert. While the Raiders aren’t quite Super Bowl contenders, they have one of the better offensive lines in football to go along with tons of draft picks and financial liberty. Las Vegas could interest the right quarterback, but it’s hard to see why Brady would want to go there.
For one, Brady doesn’t have much time left. Entering his age-43 season, chances are Brady only has two or three more years of high-level play left in his system. The Raiders aren’t ready to contend that quickly, so why would Brady want to join? Even if the Raiders had more talent, it’s hard to imagine Brady wanting to join the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid aren’t going away any time soon, and facing that duo twice a year dramatically reduces the odds of winning it all.
The Other Teams
This same rationale can rule out the Los Angeles Chargers as a potential destination. The Indianapolis Colts would make sense, but all reports indicate that the Colts are going to go after Philip Rivers. It’s hard to imagine the Tennessee Titans just letting Ryan Tannehill go after he helped bring the team to the AFC Championship Game.
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
