Tom Brady’s departure was not completely unexpected. His likely destination certainly is.
Brady is leaving the New England Patriots — and reportedly headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Like his idol Joe Montana and rival Peyton Manning before him, Brady will finish his career in an unfamiliar uniform after he announced via social media on Tuesday morning that he is moving on via free agency after 20 seasons, six Super Bowl wins in nine appearances, and three NFL MVPs to go with four Super Bowl MVPs.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Brady wrote, “but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and career.”
By the end of the day, the Buccaneers emerged as the winner of the Brady sweepstakes.
Just how many teams were involved is a mystery because at least eight (including the Raiders, 49ers and Dolphins) were considered interested over the course of the last few weeks. Both the Buccaneers and Chargers — two franchises with one Super Bowl appearance apiece in the final running — topped $30 million per year with their offers, according to NFL Network.
Brady’s desire to remain on the East Coast and close to his family — with homes in Connecticut and New York City — is said to have been a deciding factor. It is the main reason the Giants commonly were floated — and then quickly refuted — as a landing spot for Brady during the NFL Scouting Combine.
NFL free agents officially can change teams beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday. It is not clear when Brady will sign. NFL facilities are on lockdown — no visits, physicals or introductory press conferences — because of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the Buccaneers, Brady will team with record-breaking receiver Mike Evans, rising star receiver Chris Godwin and a strong tight end tandem of O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. They are in the market for top free-agent running back Melvin Gordon.
“I had hoped this day would never come, but rather that Tom would end his remarkable career in a Patriots uniform after yet another Super Bowl championship,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement to allow that dream to become a reality.”
Even with the genius of Bill Belichick stalking the sidelines, it is easy to see this as the end of a dynasty. The Patriots won 16 of the last 17 AFC East titles — only missing out during the season Brady missed all but one game due to injury — and Brady started a record 13 conference championship games.
The Jets, surging Bills and free-spending Dolphins suddenly have a second life.
Belichick is 13-6 with Matt Cassel, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett as fill-in starters. But none of those three are around now to join journeyman Cody Kessler and 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham on the depth chart.
The Patriots have been preparing for Brady to retire for years and for his possible departure since he fought last offseason for a raise and no franchise tag in 2020, so Belichick no doubt has a Plan B. Possible trade candidates include Nick Foles and Andy Dalton, and the Patriots hold the No. 23 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Brady released two statements: One thanking all his teammates, coaches, executives, Kraft and staff for “the daily commitment to winning and creating a culture built on great values,” and a second just for the fans.
“The support has been overwhelming,” Brady wrote. “I wish every player could experience it.”
In the three months since the season ended, negotiations on a new contract never got serious. The Patriots reportedly were waiting on Brady to make the first move and indicate his desire to be back, and Brady reportedly wanted to be shown greater respect.
Other than an unproductive phone call earlier this month, there was silence among Brady, Belichick and Kraft — three models of organizational symmetry for 20 years. Belichick denied a rift in their “great” relationship.
“Sometimes in life, it takes some time to pass before truly appreciating something or someone, but that has not been the case with Tom,” Belichick said. “He is a special person and the greatest quarterback of all-time.”