Bill Belichick and Tom Brady finally spoke about the future Hall of Fame quarterback’s contract. While the precise tone of these talks is in dispute, the sides do not appear close to a resolution that will keep the greatest player in Patriots history in New England.
While Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports the Belichick-Brady conversation was “business as usual” (Twitter link), NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran and the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian report the discussion did not go particularly well.
Brady’s contract expires March 18, and while it should not be ruled out the 42-year-old passer will return for a 21st Patriots season, the latest developments point to a better-than-expected chance he will depart. And the market for the all-time great may now include a fourth of the league.
As many as eight teams are “monitoring Brady’s free agency,” per ESPN.com’s Jeff Darlington, who adds that octet has varying degrees of interest in the Patriots quarterback. Among those, Darlington (via NBC Sports Boston) believes four would sign Brady “right now.” Identifying multiple teams who would do this is not especially difficult. Getting to four is tougher but doable.
Brady has been connected to the Chargers, Raiders, Titans, Colts, Giants, Dolphins, Buccaneers and now 49ers. Three of those teams — the Colts, Dolphins and Giants — are not expected to be real contenders. But the Titans, Bucs and the California teams have not been ruled out.
The Raiders have been not-so-secretly sought a Derek Carr upgrade since Jon Gruden‘s return, and the Chargers’ pursuit of one of the NFL’s most popular players makes sense from that particular organization’s perspective. Bruce Arians said he would consider signing Brady, while the Titans are run by an ex-Patriots exec (Jon Robinson) and ex-Brady teammate (Mike Vrabel). While a 49ers fit would be perhaps the strangest, given their employment of longtime Brady backup Jimmy Garoppolo, Brady is a northern California native.
With free agency still 13 days away, the Brady rumors — and talks of potential replacements for the Patriots — figure to heat up in that span.
Did Bellicheat call Lurch an ungrateful punk?
That’s dumb
You trolls are getting boring
And yet it’s working, apparently.
You’re an idiot
If you’re calling TB lurch with his looks why don’t you man up and post a selfie? Love to see what nickname’s people would come up for you?
But people like you run your mouths and are all brave hiding behind anonymity. Some might even relate it to cowardice.
MadmanTX posts on every pats article something useless and idiotic. Don’t waste your time he has nothing better to do with his pathetic life
Belichick would never say that about your mother
The Raiders aren’t a California team anymore!
Vegas is basically a suburb to the suburbs of LA. Close enough.
No taxes either. Very close to home. The Raiders are a realistic destination. Tennessee has an interesting situation as they could let Tannehill walk in free agency and pick up Brady and bring Henry back.
Personally I’d rather bet on mid-career Tannehill than end-of-career Brady but there’s a good argument to be made for swapping out the QB in Tennessee and going for broke in 2020. If it doesn’t work out, Tennessee can start over with a draft quarterback without much lost (according to Dolphins fans).
Despite Brady’s legendary status. I wonder if Belichick is ready to move on as he does often right before players hit a wall.
This. So much this.
it should make sense that if Brady left New England he surely want to go to a contending team as it’s obvious he only has a year or two left to play and his goal would be to win a Superbowl
That’s why it makes the most sense for Brady to go to the 49ers, a contender and then he would be home and that’s one thing you can’t fault a player for, to end your career at home.
The Dolphins have a lot of picks and a need at QB…
Landing spot for Jimmy G
The Dolphins have a need everywhere! That is why he won’t sign there
Sign and trade. NE signs Brady to a 2 yr 65 million dollar deal and trades his salary and his rights plus a second round pick to San Francisco for Jimmy G
Who freaking cares? This won’t affect my life one way or another as I remain happy no matter what happens in pro sports. My life doesn’t revolve around theirs.
Good advice, but these guys and their contracts are our entertainment. Like playing cards.
At the end of the day, Tom Brady will be back in NE. Of course talks aren’t going smoothly. It happens with mostly all contract negotiations.