Recent reports have indicated that quarterback Tom Brady will not return to the Bucs in 2023, but Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says that is not necessarily the case. Assuming Brady wants to continue his playing career, a fourth year in Tampa should not be ruled out.
After all, the future Hall-of-Famer continues to enjoy a strong relationship with team ownership and with GM Jason Licht, and the team has proven throughout Brady’s tenure that it will do whatever it takes to build a contender around him, even if its maneuvers create future salary cap headaches. Plus, the fact that the Bucs clinched the NFC South and qualified for the postseason could encourage Brady to return (although the weakness of the division obviously played a major role in the team’s playoff berth).
Stroud does note that Brady’s preference would be to play for Sean Payton, the former Saints head coach who is presently working as a FOX analyst but who appears ready to return to the sidelines in 2023. At present, only the Broncos have obtained permission to interview Payton, and Denver would be unable to add Brady due to its commitment to Russell Wilson. Of course, Payton and Brady appeared ready to join forces on the Dolphins in 2022, though it is now unclear whether Miami would be willing to make current HC Mike McDaniel a one-and-done just to facilitate a brief Brady-Payton partnership.
Payton could elect to return to the Saints, and New Orleans boasts enough offensive talent to entice Brady to join him there. However, as Stroud notes in a separate piece, joining the Bucs’ division rival would be difficult for Tampa Bay ownership to stomach, and Brady may not want to “stick it” to the Glazers in that way.
Brady will likely have suitors that are interested in only him and not in Payton. The 49ers, Raiders, and Jets could all be in play, and none of those teams appear as if they will be parting with their current head coaches (plus, if Brady elects to sign with Las Vegas, he would be reuniting with longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, which could appeal to him). The upshot here is that all options, including a new deal with the Bucs, remain on the table.
On a related note, it seems that a Brady return to Tampa would lead to a dismissal of OC Byron Leftwich, especially in light of the reported friction between the two men. If that happens, then Stroud expects current Alabama offensive coordinator and former Texans head coach Bill O’Brien — who was on the Patriots’ staff for five of Brady’s years in Foxborough — to be in the mix as a possible replacement. Indeed, O’Brien and Licht have a close relationship, and the Bucs were interested in O’Brien’s services last year, when it appeared as if Leftwich would leave Tampa to become the Jaguars’ head coach.
The Patriots are also said to be interested in a reunion with O’Brien.
Dallas will beat Tom by double digits and retire him.
Rams, Dolphins, Patriots, Bucs and Jets should all be interested to some degree
Raiders.
yep
Did you forget about the fat idiot coach and mental midget QB from the Cowboys? The Bucs defense will have a field day in that game
Bucs are the WORST division champion ever. One and done.
I guess Cosmo didn’t watch the Saturday night game
Cosmo must not have heard of the 2020 Washington Redskins.
or the Seahawks Carolls first year won division with a losing record too
As far as I know, Brady doesn’t play defense. Maybe he’ll turn the ball over 20 points worth? Don’t be shocked if they beat Dallas.
Lurch should be scouting Tampa Bay retirement communities.
Seems TB12 can go the hired gun route in his 40s like Scherzer and Verlander in baseball.
All of the White Male Sports Media would approve.
Just go away already
Brady —- don’t go away mad, just go away.
Given the fact that Brady is under investigation in Texas, Florida, and on the Federal level for his role in the FTX scandal he should fade away with the legacy he still has.
I am sure you have heard that plenty of times in your life.
Yeah, and I might be the King of England…
I mean it’s either him or Derek Carr at this point
I’d assume they’ll try to bring him back
Give me a break! Brady is already retired.
Brady and Gronk are forming a rock band and will doing farewell tours until Goodell has the NFL firmly entrenched in Europe.