Getty Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots warms up on the sideline during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Tom Brady’s future in New England seems to be getting hazier every day.
The Patriots star quarterback was once believed to likely re-sign with the team where he has played all 20 seasons of his NFL career, but the latest reports from ESPN now suggest Brady will enter free agency next month with the “intention of departing” New England to play with another team in 2020. ESPN’s Jeff Darlington was the first to report on Brady’s intentions, saying he “would be stunned” if he returned to New England.
ESPN’s @JeffDarlington on @GetUpESPN: “I’m now at the point where I would be stunned if Tom Brady went back to New England.”
The news comes on the heels of Boston Globe columnist Karen Guregian reporting Thursday morning the Patriots have not yet reached out to Brady and his camp about negotiating a new contract. Brady and coach Bill Belichick are expected to meet for further discussions, but a number of factors — including a potential new CBA — have delayed talks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Brady, who turns 43 in August, is expected to become one of the top 2020 free agents when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 18. The three-time NFL MVP and four-time Super Bowl MVP has been one of the most prolific passers in the NFL during his two decades with the Patriots and is fewer than 500 yards away from eclipsing 75,000 career passing yards. He has also missed just four starts since the 2008 season.
Brady finished the 2019 season with 373 completions for 4,057 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions, helping the Patriots win the AFC North title but falling in upset fashion to the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round of the postseason.
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If Not Brady, Then Who for Patriots?
Rumors about whether Brady would stay or go in free agency have been circling for months, but the reports coming from both ESPN and the Globe are the clearest indication yet the coveted quarterback will be spending next season with another team.
If Brady does leave New England, the Patriots would be forced to fill a massive hole without a lot of tools on hand to get the job done — at least, not to the Belichick standard. The Patriots’ current options at quarterback are limited to Jarrett Stidham — last year’s fourth-round pick — and veteran Cody Kessler, neither of which have proved capable of taking over starting duties.
Consequently, the Patriots may turn to free agency to land their next quarterback with options such as Teddy Bridgewater, Philip Rivers, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota leading the pack. A few more quarterbacks could also potentially hit the market in the coming weeks with starters such Derek Carr (Las Vegas), Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis) and Andy Dalton (Cincinnati) all candidates to be cut from their respective teams.
The Patriots could also attempt to work their way up the draft board from their current first-round pick at No. 23 and snag one of several talented rookie passers in the 2020 class, including choices such as Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and Jordan Love.
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