:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66508987/869199858.jpg.0.jpg)
As the NFL’s legal tampering period has begun and Tom Brady is expected to become a free agent for the first time in his career on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all in on the 42-year old quarterback.
According to multiple reports, the Buccaneers’ plan is to “pull out [all] the stops” and that they have made “an aggressive pitch” for the six-time Super Bowl champion.
#Bucs have come out "and made an aggressive" pitch for Tom Brady, @MikeReiss reports.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 16, 2020
I believe the #Buccaneers plan is to pull out the stops for Tom Brady. Beyond that, a #Saints source is convinced Teddy Bridgewater is a target in Tampa if Brady doesn’t happen. Saints believe in Teddy. But they also love Taysom’s ceiling. With Brees back, options were limited.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 16, 2020
Tampa Bay would be an intriguing option for Brady, as he would surround himself with perhaps some of the best offensive weapons in the league. Wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin established themselves as one of the best receiver duos in 2019, while tight end O.J. Howard could finally find his potential with Brady under center.
Head coach Bruce Arians could also be a big selling point for Brady, as the QB “whisperer” has coached the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning in the past.
Brady would be a big upgrade over Jameis Winston for Tampa Bay, who threw for over 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, all while throwing 30 interceptions. Brady, meanwhile, has not thrown over 14 INTs in any season of his career.
While nothing is set in stone for Brady, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that Brady “does not have anything close to a deal in New England yet.” Schefter went on to add that he believes there’s a “real chance” some team will be able to persuade the future Hall of Famer from leaving New England.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that head coach Bill Belichick is leading the New England Patriots’ negotiations with Brady this free agency, opposed to past years where Robert Kraft has led the charge.
It appears it’s going to be a wild ride to the end of Tom Brady’s free agency, and one that could end with the long-time Patriot donning a new jersey for the first time in his 20-year career.