Did the Buccaneers make a fatal mistake in Tom Brady pursuits?

Did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a fatal mistake when it comes to their pursuit of Tom Brady in free-agency during the 2020 offseason?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it clear that Tom Brady is their top priority in free-agency at quarterback, and that may be a fatal mistake.

Though the Buccaneers are currently listed as the odds-on favorites to sign Brady in free-agency, the fact that the organization has been so forthcoming about their intentions has left them with basically no leverage when negotiations begin.

Brady’s camp knows and understands that the Buccaneers want him under center. Bruce Arians and Jason Licht have both been very open- at least as much as they can be without breaking NFL rules- about the legitimate interest in Brady.

Reports have surfaced over the past few weeks that Tampa Bay wasn’t just interesting in signing Brady, but that the organization would give him roster control and the opportunity to help in building the offense moving forward.

That’s going to lead to the Buccaneers offering Brady a sizeable contract- most speculate it will be something like $102 million over three years– with basically no leverage moving forward.

There’s not going to be much negotiating from Tampa Bay’s perspective because the franchise has made it so clear that they want Brady as the quarterback. They’re not going to get a potential cheaper deal on the veteran or be able to move forward with cap flexibility.

Of course, that wouldn’t have been expected anyway.

The major point here is this: Brady’s camp knows that the Buccaneers are more than interested. They understand that Tampa Bay is willing to pay and will give him basically anything he wants to sign.

With that kind of leverage, Brady can use that to his advantage as a way to potentially get a better deal in New England, Las Angeles or Las Vegas.

Leverage is everything when it comes to free-agency negotiations and Tampa Bay basically has none.