Latest Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers rumors: Everything to know (Updated)
By Josh Hill
It doesn’t take a well-trained ear to hear the winds of Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers rumors swirling in the distance. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is an unrestricted free agent this offseason but will also be 46 years old when a new NFL season kicks off this September.
Brady has a big decision ahead of him, with three true outcomes possible:
- Return to the Buccaneers for a fourth season
- Sign with a new team
- Retire after 22 seasons in the NFL
Which of those is a home run, a walk, or an out is yet to be determined.
All three outcomes make sense from certain points of view, which makes trying to predict what Brady will end up deciding nearly impossible.
He could return to the Buccaneers, the place he has the most comfort and knowledge of the offense. It would mark the fourth year of Brady working with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — which seems very appealing — and wouldn’t require him to learn a new offense. Of course, the Bucs firing Byron Leftwich, whom Brady was very fond of, may stick a fork in that idea.
Signing with a new team makes sense if it’s a place Brady can position himself to ride off into the sunset with another Super Bowl. Familiarity is key here, which is why he’s been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders, but Brady playing for Kyle Shanahan and his hometown San Francisco 49ers might be his best shot at both winning a Super Bowl and putting his name alongside childhood hero Joe Montana.
Nobody would be shocked, however, if Brady retired for real this time. He dipped his toe in those waters last offseason before having a change of heart, but he has a life beyond football waiting for him. There’s his Brady Brand clothing line, the endless endorsements he’d be able to focus on, and a $375 million check from Fox Sports waiting for him to be their No. 1 color analyst on Sunday.
For a 23rd and possibly final NFL offseason, Tom Brady has the entire football world in the palm of his hand.
Latest Tom Brady Tampa Bay Buccaneers rumors (Updated January 28)
Note: Updates are in ascending order, with the most recent rumor or update at the top.
NFL insider suggests a surprise team for Tom Brady in free agency
PFT’s Mike Florio is in full speculation mode — as we all are — when it comes to where Tom Brady will play next. While not reporting that it’s been discussed, Florio tossed out the Detroit Lions as a potential dark horse destination.
Tom Brady addresses his future on the Let’s Go podcast
On the first episode of the Let’s Go podcast following the end of the Buccaneers season, Brady snapped at host Jim Gray over the idea that he had already decided to leave Tampa Bay.
“If I knew what I was going to f—ing do I would’ve already f—ing done it. I’m taking it a day at a time,” Brady said to co-host Jim Gray on their Let’s Go podcast. “I appreciate you asking. Thank you.”
Take that for what it’s worth, Bucs fans.