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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has a chance to hit free agency for the first time in his career when the new league year arrives in March. If the Patriots are unable to get a deal done before then, he could open up the craziest free agency pursuit in some time.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been mentioned as a potentially interested party, and NFL reporter Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (father of the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver) is reporting the relocated team is prepared to offer Brady a two-year, $60 million deal.
I’m told Las Vegas is prepared to offer @TomBrady $60 million over 2 years.
— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) February 14, 2020
The Raiders cannot make such an offer until and if Brady hits free agency when the market opens next month. If this kind of deal did come to fruition, the $30 million per year would be tied for the sixth most among quarterbacks. Although Brady is on the downside of his career, an open market could get a little bit nutty. Even though there are are better quarterbacks, a team looking for a veteran presence might be willing to shoot their shot in a big way.
The best examples would be the Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and potentially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Oakland is showing improvement, but Derek Carr is a big question for them. The Chargers are parting ways with Philip Rivers and while they will likely invest a high draft pick in the QB position, a veteran coming in could be enough to get them into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bucs finished 7-9 in a season that saw quarterback Jameis Winston become the first 30 touchdown, 30 interception QB in NFL history. He is due to hit free agency as well, and they might be prepared to move on.
Brady could still end up re-signing with the Patriots before any of this happens, but let’s root for chaos!