Where will he go? Brady’s future the talk of NFL combine
Welcome to the 2020 NFL combine — a place where no one can escape Tom Brady rumours, speculations or questions.
“Brady 2020 watch” has been in full effect since the Tennessee Titans defeated the Patriots in the AFC wild-card round. Instagram posts have been overanalyzed. Real estate rumours went off the rails. Even a photo of Brady talking to Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, at a UFC event nonetheless, briefly set the internet on fire.
That brings us to this week in Indy.
The NFL Network reported that Brady’s agent Don Yee will talk to the Patriots this week about a potential contract. There are also rumours out there that teams like the Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers are interested in the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
On Tuesday, several NFL coaches and general managers were asked about Brady. Not everyone was willing to comment, but not everyone shied away, either. For example, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians was asked what quarterbacks he’d be willing to pick up the phone and call when free agency starts on March 18.
“Tom Brady,” Arians said. “Philip (Rivers) is another guy. We’ll see.”
The hottest rumours about Brady have linked the Titans, Raiders and Chargers.
Tennessee makes the most sense. Brady is friends with head coach Mike Vrabel, his former teammate. The Titans general manager, Jon Robinson, came from the Patriots organization. Plus, the Titans are ready to win now. As far as the rumours go, the Titans brass wasn’t willing to speculate.
“Tom’s a teammate, a former teammate. He’s a friend. He’ll always be a friend,” said Vrabel. “I know like a lot of people, he’ll do what’s best for him and his family. Whatever that may be, I’m not sure.”
“Players that are under contract that aren’t on our team, I can’t comment on those guys,” Robinson said when asked about Brady. “I won’t comment on those guys. But we’re just working through the process here at the combine and whenever that time opens up when we can negotiate with other players, regardless of what position they are, whenever that window opens up, we’ll attack that just like 31 other teams attack it.”
The Raiders are an interesting fit. As they move to Las Vegas, someone like Brady could help bring in fans.
Brady was a hot topic on Tuesday. Some GMs and coaches didn’t want to touch the topic, like Colts GM Chris Ballard and Jets coach Adam Gase. Broncos GM John Elway said he hopes Brady stays in Foxborough. Former Patriots assistant coach Brian Flores, now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, said he didn’t think Brady would want to go to the Dolphins.