The biggest domino on the quarterback free agent market continues to move into position. Tom Brady‘s representation met with the Chargers, Raiders and Colts on Thursday at the Combine, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Teams are not permitted to negotiate during these meetings, as they are before the legal tampering period. But the Brady market continues to take shape. While this year’s tampering period will not commence until March 16, the Patriots may view these late-February meetings as a key part of the Brady process.
Brady leaving New England is starting to look like an increasingly live proposition, but other teams discussing the future Hall of Fame quarterback will help the Patriots know what they’re up against. No Pats negotiations are on tap yet, however.
The Chargers and Raiders have been linked to Brady for weeks; the Colts are a new team in the Brady mix. But many around the league view Philip Rivers as the likelier Indianapolis get. With former Chargers offensive staffers Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni in command of the Colts’ attack, the team is interested in Rivers. But Brady is now on Indy’s radar too.
Despite being four years older, Brady finished ahead of Rivers in 2019 QBR (16th to 23rd) and is obviously the more accomplished player. But the Brady market looks to be more aggressive than the one forming for Rivers. The Colts were in the AFC divisional round in 2018; they would be an intriguing team for Brady, who wants to land in a competitive situation.
At the week’s outset, Jim Irsay said everything was on the table regarding the Colts’ quarterback situation. Ex-Brady backup Jacoby Brissett is penciled in as the starter, but it’s looking more and more likely he will not be back as Indianapolis’ QB1 by September.
The Patriots are in the position of needing to upgrade at the skill positions — potentially in order to convince Brady to stay — while uncertain of their cap space. The CBA also looms over this situation, considering the Pats’ 2019 Brady deal attached void years onto the passer’s contract and would tag the team with $13.5MM in dead money March 18. That cap hit cannot be spread out unless a new CBA is agreed to in the meantime.
I can’t see him going to the Colts. I feel he wouldn’t want to go there with that being Manning’s home lol. Maybe I’m wrong. But I feel the Chargers make the most sense him, new stadium, LA which is good for business for he and his wife and their businesses. I think Rivers goes to the Colts and Brady to the Chargers. Feel really strongly about Brady leaving New England. Can see the Pats making trades to take a QB in the first round and also taking a vet to start this year like Dalton or Bridgewater
I agree. Moreover, even if TB did have interest in joining Indy [theres plenty of practical reasons], Kraft would find a way to nix it. Zillionaire Corporate criminals like him get what they want with no repurchasing daily in this country.
Repercussions too
What an idiotic statement
Your wrong Indy’s line can keep Brady upright with the #3 offensive line and over 90 million in cap space, while the Chargers had almost the worst line in the NFL allowing the most hits and pressures on the QB, Brady at his age does not want to spend the 2020 season on his back, plus the Chargers don’t have as much cap room.
Everything he said and what said can all be true simultaneously
The charges had an almost impossible amount of injuries to their offensive line so that stat is really skewed. Plus the colts need a lot more than the chargers do.
Brady is all about the dollars now. Nothing wrong with that, but the Chargers, & Raiders haven’t done squat in this century (minus 1 or 2 years) and the Colts ran off both Peyton and A Luck, shows he’s in it for the money.
If he goes he goes to LA or Vegas
I hate the thought of this mouth kisser joining raider nation. I’d rather stick with Carr and miss the playoffs then sell out and sign this pansy.
Haha you so want Brady on the raiders.
I just LOVE ME some TB12 haters! It’s hilarious to listen to pure jealousy and try to keep a straight face! But Tom is never going to leave NE. Sure he’s out and about enjoying all the teams lining up and showing him all the love, but when the dust clears and Belichek and Tom sit down together, he’ll be what he should be, a Patriot for life. They’ll get him some play makers in FA and the draft and it’ll be on again in 2020 in NE.
Brady to the Raiders would be the most interesting, but I bet he would sign with the Chargers out of the three.
Brady to the Raiders would only be beneficial for Raider fans if the team drafts a QB in the 1st rd. Yes, he’s a legend and a great leader, but he’s up there in age and won’t be effective for much longer. I’d prefer they stick with Carr for this year, but wouldn’t be butt hurt if they sign Brady.