(Audacy) A lot could happen with quarterback Tom Brady this offseason, and given the way last winter unfolded, we could be in for an eventful few weeks.
The legendary Brady is set to become a free agent after he and his Buccaneers got bounced from the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. It was an underwhelming season for the Bucs, who went 8-9 in the regular season and clearly aren't the same team that was hoisting a Lombardi Trophy two years ago.
It’s possible that Brady returns to Tampa. He could also retire, there’s always those Dolphins rumors or he could go somewhere else. Everything seems to be on the table.
Outside of the Dolphins, Brady has most often been linked to the Raiders. But while appearing on the Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested a different landing spot: the Carolina Panthers and a union with coach Sean Payton.
“I’m watching Carolina," Florio said. "It just makes a ton of sense for Payton and Brady to get together in Carolina. I don’t know this, I’m not reporting it, but to the extent we’re connecting dots – if Payton gets that job in Carolina and the cupboard is currently bare at the quarterback position … Payton will figure it out. And he may figure it out by bringing in Brady.
“If you’re Brady, you stay on the East Coast and you’re in the worst division in football. Every team was below .500, and you could run that division with a great defense and have a great running game. They have all the stuff the Buccaneers currently don’t have.”
Currently, DraftKings Sportsbook has the Panthers with the 13th-highest odds to be Brady’s next team. Of course, that could change depending on where Payton goes, as the rumblings of last offseason suggest the duo could be a package deal.
Payton interviewed with the Texans on Monday and will meet with the Broncos on Tuesday. The Panthers and Cardinals also have permission to interview Payton, who currently is under contract with the Saints and would have to be traded to his new team.
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