ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks Tom Brady is ‘tracking’ toward leaving Patriots

Tom Brady has everyone guessing this offseason, even ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Tom Brady’s NFL future has been swirled up in speculation since the middle of last season.

He’s entering free agency for the first time in his 20-year career and the New England Patriots’ odds of retaining him seem to be dwindling. Free agency begins on March 18, giving the Patriots minimal time to conjure up a deal. Brady is very open to testing the market and there are reportedly numerous teams interested in the 42-year-old.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter typically has the inside scoop on all NFL transactions, but he’s even clueless about Brady’s next move. He joined Mad Dog Sports Radio’s “Schein on Sports” podcast on Thursday and provided as much information as he could.

“Let me say this to you, I think that whether or not (Brady and Bill Belichick) spoke, (Tuesday) or last week, and what the tone was, frankly, I don’t need to hear any of that to deduce that it is now March 5. Free agency starts in less than two weeks,” Schefter said, as transcribed by NESN’s Ricky Doyle. “Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are no closer to a contract agreement today than they were at any point during the season or any time recently. So if the greatest quarterback and arguably the greatest player in NFL history is not any closer to a contract agreement with the team he’s played for for 20 years, I think we can all sense what way this is tracking.

“Which doesn’t mean they can’t figure it out at the last moment and somehow find a solution to bring him back to Foxboro and find a way to make it work. But again, I just compare and contrast what is going on with Tom Brady and what as opposed to what’s gone on with, say, Drew Brees, who comes out and says, ‘I am either retiring or playing for the Saints.’ Have we heard that? We have not heard that with Tom Brady. Right? At what point is it going to register with people who believe he’s going back there that there’s a real chance he’s not going back there. What more do we need to see — other than him actually agreeing to a deal with another team, which certainly seems like it’s on track to happen now.”

Brady’s window to play at an elite level and win championships is closing quickly and the Patriots’ offense was an issue last season. He reportedly wanted New England to attain more weapons, which they haven’t publicly made progress on yet.

Speculation will continue to flare up until a decision is clear, but Brady’s decision is entirely unknown at the moment.

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