Fansided
Fansided

Three Teams That Make Sense for Tom Brady & Three That Don’t

By Hunter Haas

Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waits in the tunnel before playing the Los Angeles Rams during a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium, which could have been the last of his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to the 2022 NFL Draft to find a successor, and do so in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waits in the tunnel before playing the Los Angeles Rams during a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium, which could have been the last of his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to the 2022 NFL Draft to find a successor, and do so in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Should Sign Tom Brady

Team #1: Miami Dolphins

This is a layup. Rumors from last offseason regarding a potential pairing of Sean Payton and Tom Brady in South Beach proved to be true. Because of this, the Dolphins got docked a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 third-rounder for tampering.

Now, with Mike McDaniel in tow, the idea of Payton heading to Miami feels very unlikely. That doesn’t mean Brady won’t move farther south in Florida, though. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a Michigan alum, same as Brady, and leaves no stoned unturned when it comes to improving the roster.

Tua Tagovailoa played at a high level in 2022 and deserves to retain the role in 2023. However, with a long track record of injuries, there is a chance the front office is souring on his potential.

Adding Brady makes sense for the scheme. While his arm strength is virtually the same as Tagovailoa’s at this point, Brady still brings a veteran presence to the locker room. McDaniel is a Kyle Shanahan protege, and it is easy to see how Brady could step into the Jimmy Garoppolo-type role and elevate the roster to legit contender status.

Team #2: New York Jets

Another AFC East team will likely draw the ire of Patriots fans, but the New York Jets are putting together an impressive group of talent. Fresh off one of the best rookie classes in recent memory, the Jets have young players at nearly every position on the roster.

The glaring question mark is at quarterback. Zach Wilson is not the guy anymore. Joe Flacco and Mike White are not the ones to take a franchise to the Promised Land. Tom Brady is still that, though.

It might take some convincing to get Brady back in the cold weather up north, but few situations in the league give him a chance to win a Super Bowl in year one. The defense is ascending, the offensive line will be healthy (hopefully), and the weaponry on offense is right up Brady’s alley.

He can lean on Breece Hall in the run game and turn Garrett Wilson into a PPR monster in fantasy football. Robert Saleh’s defense will be one of the best in the NFL next season; adding a steady hand like Brady at quarterback might be the final piece to the puzzle.

Team #3: Tennessee Titans

The Titans are at the end of their current Super Bowl window, but Tom Brady could extend it for another year or two. Ryan Tannehill, Joshua Dobbs, and Malik Willis will not have enough to propel the team to contention in 2023.

Signing Brady would have to be the first of several moves for Tennessee. Some offensive line re-arranging is necessary, and multiple weapons will need to join the fold to maximize the chances of immediately contending.

Thankfully for the Titans, they have a decent amount of NFL Draft capital to work with. At No. 11 overall, the front office can select a starting offensive lineman or potentially the best wide receiver in the class. Furthermore, the Titans have access to all their 2024 picks as well.

Mortgaging the future for a one- or two-year run with a 45-year-old quarterback is a bold move. However, I would argue that sticking with Tannehill would be a far worse move. And throwing Willis/Dobbs out there effectively slams the current title window shut.

Worst case scenario, the Titans stack the roster around Brady for 2023. If it doesn’t work out, Willis (or a different young quarterback) can take over. Assuming they don’t offer a messy contract or go overboard in trades, this option works out now and for the future.

Home/NFL Free Agency