Here comes the offseason of speculation. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is scheduled to be a free agent when the 2020 league year begins in March. It’s anyone’s guess where he’ll land. Surely, Bill Belichick and Brady don’t know what will happen in the next few months.
It’s entirely possible Brady returns to New England. Sentimentality might drive Belichick and Brady back together again. Pragmatically, however, Brady and the Patriots no longer make much sense. That’s why he could — at the very least — look at what options he has in free agency. And there will be options for the greatest quarterback of all time.
Here are five teams Brady could consider.
Indianapolis Colts
They have the money to sign Brady along with a few talented skill players. Frank Reich led Indy to a 7-9 record with about $45 million of cap space in 2019. In 2020, they’ll have $93 million.
And while quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been promising, general manager Chris Ballard admitted he’s not committed to the young quarterback. Ballard has proven a shrewd — though, at times, thrifty — spender, which might be something Brady appreciates. But Brady would need Ballard to spend this offseason, with T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal looking like the top options in the passing game. The good news is that offensive line is solid, so long as left tackle Anthony Costanzo doesn’t retire. Running back Marlon Mack has been good, and Nyheim Hynes is the kind of back Brady would like targeting.
The Colts look like a stable place for Brady to jump.