There are a variety of things that could happen with Tom Brady this offseason, and given the way last winter unfolded, we could be in for an eventful few weeks.
The legendary quarterback is set to become a free agent after he and the Bucs got bounced Monday night by the Dallas Cowboys. It was an underwhelming season for the Bucs, who finished the regular season 8-9 and clearly are not the same team that was hoisting a Lombardi Trophy in Brady’s first year with them.
Sure, it’s possible that Brady returns to Tampa. But he could retire, there’s always the 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 appearing Tuesday on ”Mully and Haugh,” ProFootballTalk NFL insider Mike Florio suggested a different landing spot: the Carolina Panthers.
“I’m watching Carolina. It just makes a ton of sense for Payton and Brady to get together in Carolina,” Florio said. “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 at the 13th-highest odds to be Brady’s next team. Of course, that could change depending on where Payton goes, as last offseason’s rumblings 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 the coach, who currently is under contract with the Saints and would have to be traded.
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