For years, skeptics have wondered when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would finally part ways with the team he has been with his whole career. But in the past, just about every scenario where that happens ends with a Brady retirement.
However, there's a real chance that Brady moves on from his time in New England during the free agency period of 2020. If the legendary signal-caller does decide to test the waters of the free-agent market after his contract expires, there will be plenty of suitors.
1) The Los Angeles Chargers
When thinking of teams that could potentially pursue Brady, the Chargers aren't exactly usually the first to come to mind, but they should be. Longtime quarterback Philip Rivers is in a similar situation to Brady, with his contract expiring after the 2019 season. The Los Angeles roster is also loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, at times looking hobbled by their incompetence at quarterback. If Brady could provide this group with consistent, above-average ball, they could turn into a legitimate contender.
2) The Chicago Bears
This is another roster situation that provides a perfect opportunity for Brady to make an impact. The Bears have a big decision coming up on current starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who's at the end of his rookie contract. Assuming Chicago doesn't extend him, there's a vacuum at quarterback that Brady could easily fill. The rest of the roster is solid but not quite Super Bowl ready. Trubisky has been essentially kneecapping the Bears playoffs hopes with subpar play. Brady could come in and provide an immediate offensive boost, while the defense continues to play good football.
3) The Carolina Panthers
This one is a little less ideal. The Panthers are without a head coach as of now, and the team has dropped five games straight. But the Panthers are one of the few teams in the league without a settled starting quarterback situation. Kyle Allen clearly isn't as good as everyone once thought, as he's turned into a turnover machine. Brady's presence on this team would act as both a huge upgrade to the offense and a stabilizing force for a team in transition.
4) The Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are another team that's a bit of a stretch. They just broke the bank for quarterback Nick Foles, who was promptly injured and then benched. Rookie Gardner Minshew has been running the show capably but without any sort of fireworks. Assuming the Jags find a way to unload Foles to some other team via trade, this becomes a realistic landing spot for Brady. The defense is still a solid unit, but the offense is too inconsistent for any type of playoff hopes. Brady could change all of that.
5) The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers can only be considered as a possible landing spot if current starter Ben Roethlisberger decides to hang up his cleats and retire. In that event, it probably becomes the most appealing of all teams for Brady. An elite defense paired with a stellar head coach in Mike Tomlin makes life a lot easier for anyone. The decent offensive line is another plus. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is better than any weapon Brady has this season, and the same can be said for running back James Conner. Brady's arrival would turn a wild card contender into a Super Bowl contender.
Follow Us
Subscribe