Tom Brady free agency rumors: Are Buccaneers or Chargers the best fit?
Brady’s fit in Los Angeles
The first thing that stands out about the Los Angeles Chargers as a potential landing spot for the six-time Super Bowl champion is the location. Tom Brady clearly has eyes for things bigger than football, including production companies and endorsement opportunities for his TB12 brand. There’s no better place for that to happen than the City of Angels.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
In a somewhat similar light, the Chargers are making the move (along with the Rams) to SoFi Stadium for the 2020 season. However, as the Bolts were having a difficult time filling Dignity Health Sports Park with their own fans, the season ticket sales for the 2020 campaign have been wildly disappointing. Bringing in Brady, however, would surely change that.
On the field, the Chargers undoubtedly offer some intriguing weapons. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, when healthy, comprise an impressive wide receiver duo. Furthermore, LA placed the franchise tag on tight end Hunter Henry and re-signed Austin Ekeler to a four-year contract this offseason. Those are two positions Brady has utilized heavily throughout his time with the Patriots and are elite weapons at those spots.
Where things really fall apart for Los Angeles’s case, however, is the offensive line, at least based on last year’s performance. In 2019, Pro Football Focus ranked the Chargers O-line as the fourth-worst in the NFL. And while trading for Trai Turner and sending out oft-injured Russell Okung could help, along with their draft picks that will be incoming, Brady is a 43-year-old quarterback lacking in mobility. Having poor or even questionable protection is far from a plus for the end of his career.
Ultimately, the offensive line hurts the Chargers. But the off-field factors and weapons with the Bolts are surely enticing — even if he’d be in a division with Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs for the end of his career.
Grading the Fit: B