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Even before the NFL offseason, speculation about the former Michigan quarterback and G.O.A.T. has been rampant.
Will Tom Brady, the longtime New England Patriots QB and now NFL free agent, opt to leave Foxboro for something else? It’s certainly possible. Maybe even plausible.
Should Brady opt to leave or New England fail to resign him, it would be the end of the Brady/Belichick era. In their six championships together, neither has had success without the other, given that Brady was drafted in Belichick’s first year with the franchise in 2000.
But with another longtime quarterback looking unlikely to resign with his franchise, as Philip Rivers and the LA Chargers might not be a match any longer, USA TODAY speculates that the relocated franchise from San Diego could be a destination for the former Wolverines team captain.
Rivers is gone, and Brees probably wouldn’t return to the Bolts, most likely to re-sign with the New Orleans Saints or retire. But TB12? He might be in play. After 20 years with the New England Patriots, he’s hurtling toward free agency for the first time, and his expiring contract stipulates the Pats cannot tag him. And who better to jump start the Chargers’ atrophied fan base than a six-time Super Bowl winner and California native who, even at age 43 next season, might be able to hold down the fort for a year or two on a roster with plenty of supporting talent on both sides of the ball?
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While the aforementioned was a look at the various possibilities for the LA Chargers, it’s also one of the six possibilities laid out before Brady, in this speculative piece by SB Nation.
Rivers saw his season end thanks to Brady’s Patriots three times in his 16 seasons. He and the Chargers parted ways before the 17th.
Brady could take the reins for a team just one year removed from a 12-win season. He’d have one of the league’s top receiving backs should the club retain restricted free agent Austin Ekeler, as well as a dynamite deep threat in Keenan Allen. The Chargers could also use the franchise tag to keep tight end Hunter Henry in town to be Gronk Lite for the quadragenarian QB. While Los Angeles’ offensive line hasn’t earned much hype, it allowed Rivers — a player roughly as mobile as Brady — to be sacked on just 5.4 percent of his dropbacks in 2019.
A move across the AFC wouldn’t just give the Chargers a headliner to open their new, shared stadium in LA. It would also bring Brady back to his California roots. He grew up in San Mateo, some 360 miles north of Los Angeles, but Hollywood could make a lot of sense for the world’s most recognizable football player, his supermodel wife, and the children he threw into a Facebook reality show in 2018.
Actually, you know what? Hold that thought.
Chance it happens: 3/10
SB Nation also lists Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, San Francisco and the Carolina Panthers as possible destinations.
But, the most likely thing is that New England and Brady will continue to work together to continue their beneficial relationship. Either way, wouldn’t be surprised to see the former Michigan standout add more rings to his already formidable collection.