Brady uncertainty overshadows other free agency options
It probably makes sense when a six-time Super Bowl champion, and a quarterback to boot, enters free agency that his every move overshadows the rest of the available players.
It does get nonsensical, of course, when Tom Brady saying he’s headed on a family vacation draws headlines and massive social media reaction. Hey, folks, virtually every NFL player goes on holiday in the offseason. You can bet a few of the other free agents in this crop are doing so right now.
Naturally, Brady’s situation is the most intriguing of them all. Perhaps even more so than Peyton Manning’s when he became free from the Colts in 2013.
The bond between Brady and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been strong. Remember that Kraft defended his QB and basically opposed all his fellow owners during the deflated footballs saga that followed the 2014
AFC title game. Minus a salary cap, Kraft would favor paying any number Brady mentioned. Even with the cap, New England has almost $44 million of room.
Brady’s loyalty to his coach seems to have come into question, not just since New England’s season ended in the wildcard round, but in previous years. So maybe moving on — and proving that he has been the main catalyst in the Patriots’ championship run — is very enticing to Brady.
Also consider the finances if the Patriots don’t sign him before free agency begins March 18. There’s the possibility the team would need to pay a substantial “penalty,” under collective bargaining rules, that would cut deeply into its salary cap room. Should Brady command a $30 million salary for 2020 in a new contract, plus that penalty money, the cap hit would be humongous. As for landing spots should the most successful quarterback of our time — and pretty much league history — walk away from Foxborough, there are plenty. Yep, even for a QB who will turn 43 in August; more teams have been speculated in the competition, should it exist, than not involved.