We finally got some clarity on Tom Brady’s future Tuesday after the six-time Super Bowl champion announced on social media that he will not be returning to the New England Patriots in 2020. A pending free agent, Brady is set to play for a team besides the Patriots for the first time in his 20-year career.
The Patriots aren’t in the NFC West with the Rams, but Brady’s departure still has a ripple effect on Los Angeles. The Rams will host the Patriots at SoFi Stadium next season, and some believed New England was a candidate to open the spectacular new venue in Week 1 against Sean McVay’s squad.
That seems unlikely now that Brady won’t be with the Patriots. The Super Bowl LIII rematch is losing some of its luster without Brady after it was viewed as one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2020 season for the Rams.
Among the teams that are viewed as candidates to open SoFi Stadium against the Rams in their first home game, the Patriots were certainly near the top. The Cowboys, Seahawks and 49ers all make sense, too, but New England was an interesting option because of the fact that the two teams met in the Super Bowl last year.
As unlikely as it is that the Rams will host the Patriots in Week 1, it’s still possible for Brady to open SoFi Stadium … with the Chargers.
The other team in L.A. is a candidate to sign Brady after letting Philip Rivers leave in free agency. If Brady goes to the Chargers, he’ll be there for the season opener at SoFi Stadium, even if the Rams get the first regular-season game at the venue.
Another suitor for Brady, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are also on the Rams’ schedule, but it’s not a home game for L.A. That game will be on the road. No other teams on the Rams’ home schedule are considered potential landing spots for Brady.