If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to sign QB Tom Brady in free-agency, it’s going to take quite a bit of cash to do so.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly interested in several free-agent quarterbacks heading into the 2020 offseason, but perhaps no name is shinier than Tom Brady.
Brady, who has taken the NFL world by storm for nearly two decades now, is set to be a free-agent and many league insiders are reporting that it would be surprising to see Brady re-sign with the New England Patriots.
If the 42-year-old veteran does choose to look elsewhere, the Buccaneers could be in prime position to make an offer and lure him down south, despite the smaller market of the Tampa area.
ESPN released an article detailing how Brady’s free-agency will likely play out and what the projected offers of teams would be to him. The Buccaneers, Patriots, Chargers and Titans were listed as the organizations most likely to make a pitch on Brady this offseason.
According to ESPN, the offer from Tampa Bay would be somewhere around $102 million over three years. That would be an average of $34 million per year with $68 million guaranteed.
"“Brady’s contracts in New England have historically been on the low end compared with those of his contemporaries, but the Bucs will have to pony up to compete. This offer is cut-and-dried. His $34 million average annual salary puts him alongside Ben Roethlisberger for second highest in the league behind Russell Wilson. This offer isn’t longer than three years because Brady has said he wants to play until he’s 45. And signing Brady wouldn’t preclude the Bucs from re-signing pass-rusher Shaq Barrett or wide receiver Chris Godwin to long-term deals this offseason,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine said."
Though the Buccaneers’ offer was the best for Brady in terms of money, ESPN ultimately projects him signing with the Tennessee Titans (4 years, $112 million- $28 million average per year) because the organization presents a clearer path to the playoffs, specifically to a first-round bye.
This is one of those deals where Brady will consider several options- including money, taxes and brand exposure- but ultimately he’ll want to go somewhere where he knows he can compete for the final portion of his career.
Brady likely has 2-4 years left in his career- assuming he doesn’t choose to retire before then- and he obviously wants at least another ring before it’s all said and done.