The Las Vegas Raiders will pursue Tom Brady if he doesn’t re-sign with the New England Patriots, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Brady, 42, is entering free agency for the first time in his NFL career and is drawing interest from teams in need of a veteran quarterback. The Patriots are reportedly willing to pay him upwards of $30 million to retain the quarterback, but he’s more focused on weapons around him. The Los Angeles Chargers are another team in the running for Brady and they reportedly have accommodations that would work for Brady.
The Raiders have a blooming rushing attack with rookie standout Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns last season. They have tight end Darren Waller, who had 90 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. Las Vegas also has young and rising receivers in Hunter Renfrow and Tyrell Williams.
They would have to quickly make a decision with quarterback Derek Carr, but that would involve risking him for the hope of acquiring Brady. ESPN’s Field Yates broke down the Raiders’ salary situation with Carr currently.
On Wednesday, $2.9M of Raiders QB Derek Carr’s $18.9M base salary for 2020 becomes fully guaranteed.
If a pursuit of Tom Brady materializes in March, the Raiders could quickly clear $16M in cash by moving on from Carr that could be put towards a potential Brady deal.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 2, 2020
Here’s what Schefter had to say about Las Vegas’ pursuit of Brady.
New England is expected to want to have a decision made well before the free-agent signing period begins March 18. But Brady also has said he is “open-minded” about the free-agent process, and other teams are expected to explore the possibility of signing him, according to sources.
One of the teams expected to be leading the way if Brady gets to free agency is the Raiders, whose coach, Jon Gruden, is a long-time admirer of the three-time MVP and six-time Super Bowl champion. The two have a good relationship, and league sources believe that Gruden, who is known to be a highly effective recruiter, wants Brady on the Raiders.
Brady would provide the Raiders instant credibility in their new city, not to mention an enormous marketing advantage that could be presented on billboards across Nevada.
Brady will be 43 years old next season and has spent his entire career in New England. It’s very possible that the Patriots find a way to negotiate, bring in the necessary weapons and keep Brady in Foxborough.
The Raiders aren’t the first team on the list of pursuing Brady and they won’t be the last.
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