Fansided

The ripple effect of Tom Brady leaving New England

By John Buhler

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs onto the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots runs onto the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

AFC East perspective

Let’s be real. We have no earthly idea for what’s about to happen in the AFC East once Brady leaves New England for good. Since 2002’s realignment, the Patriots haven’t won the division only twice: 2002 and 2008.

The team with the most to gain from a Brady-less division? The Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo has a good thing going top-to-bottom, all the way from ownership, to the front office, to the sidelines, to the quarterback under center. Quarterback Josh Allen will need to progress as a passer, but without Brady standing in the way (or, possibly even with him still there) Sean McDermott’s team might host a playoff game for the first time since 1996.

Miami is probably the furthest AFC East team away from winning the division in the post-Brady era. However, the Dolphins have a promising young head coach in Brian Flores and could get the heir apparent to Dan Marino down in South Beach with the No. 5 overall pick. The Dolphins are a few years away, but not having to battle Brady twice annually could help jumpstart their rebuild.

Then, there’s Gang Green. The Jets have a solid offensive-minded head coach in Adam Gase and a former No. 3 overall pick in Sam Darnold at quarterback. Mononucleosis is a thing of the past, as Darnold won’t be seeing anymore ghosts once Brady departs from New England. If Brady leaves the Patriots, perhaps the Jets will challenge New England and Buffalo for the division crown?

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