Predicting 10 best NFL quarterbacks in 2016

Many thought New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady might be ‘done’ early in the 2014 NFL season but it turns out nobody knew what they were talking about. While it’s true that the end of Brady’s career is closer than the beginning, and he’s lost a little bit of his ability, it’s also true that he continues to be one of the best quarterbacks out there.

And hey, by 2016 he might be a little rested if his current 4-game suspension holds.

In any event, Brady will not have fallen off the planet by the start of the 2016 NFL season, and while he might not be the Tom Brady from 2007 (with his 4,806 yards, 50 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions), he’s going to continue to be plenty good.

We could talk about the current consistency in the offense, with tight end Rob Gronkowski healthy (basically) in back to back years, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola playing well and Brandon LaFell actually being productive. We could wonder if the backfield will hit a speed bump with both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen gone.

We could wonder if, as they often do with veterans near the end of their career, the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick will get rid of Brady as he ages.

I think Brady will buck that trend though and finish out his career as a Patriot. Further, I think the Patriots will continue to find ways to put solid, if unspectacular, players around him and enough of them for Brady to continue to be productive.

At the end of the day, Brady has more years left and will continue to be a very good player come 2016. Expect him to continue to be great.

Next: Andrew Luck