Tom Brady joining Buccaneers changes entire NFC landscape
Tom Brady is reportedly set to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 free agency, which not only changes the Bucs but the entire NFC landscape.
One by one, the Tom Brady dominoes fell. As his first venture into NFL free agency began, it was reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers and his 20-year home, the New England Patriots, were the three teams with a chance to sign the six-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall-of-Famer. Tuesday, however, began with Brady confirming he was leaving the Patriots.
As the day went on, it became clearer that it really was a two-team race to sign Tom Brady was indeed between the Buccaneers and Chargers. But then came the report that Los Angeles had dropped out of the running for the quarterback, leaving only Tampa Bay.
Thus, ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington have confirmed that, though a formal announcement has not been set just yet, Tom Brady will be joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media confirmed, noting that Tampa will pay Brady “roughly $30 million” per season.
Tampa is the expected landing spot for Tom Brady barring anything unforeseen, sources tell me and @JeffDarlington.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
There's no signing date or announcement officially set up, but Brady is expected to be a Buccaneer.
To be clear: Former #Patriots QB Tom Brady has an agreement in principle to join the #Bucs, source said. It is believed to be roughly $30M per year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
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Frankly, it’s not hard to see why Brady is enticed by playing with Tampa Bay. For starters, after a season where the Patriots offense was bereft of consistent weapons, he’ll now have two of the elite receivers in the NFL, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, working with him. Throw in a good offensive line, tight end O.J. Howard, a creative offensive mind in Bruce Arians and even an improving run game with Ronald Jones II, and this is clearly an ideal landing spot.
Brady’s arrival signals a turning point not just for the Buccaneers but for the NFC. Tampa Bay went 7-9 a season ago with Jameis Winston at the helm. And though Winston had his wowing moments, he was also the picture of maddening inconsistency, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season last year.
That’s not going to be the case with Brady. Even if his arm strength is not where it once was, he remains a steady hand when he’s throwing the pigskin and one who won’t make mistakes. Beyond that, concerns over whether or not Arians’ system fits Brady are unfounded. A veteran head coach will adjust to a Hall-of-Fame quarterback, without question.
If this team was capable of going 7-9 with a quarterback throwing 30 interceptions, having perhaps the greatest quarterback of all time — even at 43 years old — take his place means the sky is now the limit. It’s not unrealistic to think the Buccaneers could challenge the Saints in the NFC South and even set their sights on the 49ers.
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While Tom Brady has six Super Bowl rings and nine appearances in the Big Game, no team has ever played a home game in the Super Bowl. Super Bowl LV will be at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And with Brady taking over the offense in Tampa, he and his new team can make history in his first year at the helm of a team that isn’t the Patriots.