What Will Be Tom Brady’s Next Destination?
For years, football fans have been speculating if Tom Brady will retire at the end of the season.
With the Buccaneers being eliminated from the playoffs, that speculation continues.
The odds of Brady retiring this offseason may be higher than ever as he would be 46 going into next season and was retired at one point last offseason.
Brady posted the third-most passing yards this past season and the most completions of all quarterbacks. It’s clear that he can still play at a high level, but what is the best destination for his career?
Stay in Tampa Bay
If it weren’t for a weak NFC South division, Tampa Bay wouldn’t have made the playoffs.
Tampa Bay still has a lot of talent on its roster, but it is an older team, especially on offense.
The Buccaneers were statistically the worst rushing team in the NFL, ranking dead last in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Their defense also was tied for the second most passing touchdowns in the regular season.
There’s still a path for a playoff run with Tampa Bay, but it might not have the best supporting cast for Brady.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers give Brady the best chance of winning and ending his career with a story book ending.
Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system would fit Brady perfectly at this point in career, especially with the talent on the roster.
The 49ers’ quick passes and creative run schemes would put less pressure on Brady to carry the offense.
To go with all of this, Brady grew up a 49ers fan in the Bay Area.
But Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy have both performed well in the limited role that they have played. The 49ers also gave up a lot in the trade to draft Trey Lance with the third pick in the 2021 draft.
But Brady gives this team the best chance at a Super Bowl, and it can also acquire assets for their current quarterbacks to start elsewhere.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are another team that would be an improvement offensively for Brady.
Brady hasn’t played with an elite receiver since Randy Moss and Davante Adams can be that player. Also, Josh Jacobs and role-player pass catchers make this an explosive offense that needs a quarterback.
Defensively, Las Vegas is a downgrade compared to Tampa Bay. But with such a talented offense, the Raiders can focus on defensive improvement in the draft and in free agency.
The Raiders may be a project, but Brady proved that he could turn a team around with Tampa Bay.
Retirement
Brady has nothing left to prove in the NFL. He has shown that he is the greatest quarterback of all time and has proven he can win outside of the Patriots organization.
The only current competition to his crown as the greatest of all time might be Patrick Mahomes. But seven Super Bowl wins is an incredible feat that no one may ever reach again.
With the millions of dollars he has made in his career, the best choice for Brady may be to hang up his cleats.
Jayson O’Connell is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jbo5216@psu.edu.
