The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stand as the lone landing spot for Tom Brady now, and as expected they will pay him handsomely.
With Tom Brady’s announcement on Tuesday morning he would not be going back to the New England Patriots as a free agent, the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers stood as the two most likely landing spots for him. A mystery team could always surface, but it was Los Angeles or Tampa Bay barring something totally unforeseen.
Prior indications suggested the Buccaneers were ready to go all-in to get Brady,and sentiment has grown about how great a fit they are for him. With plenty of cap space, they can pay Brady what he wants and not hamper plans to add pieces to the defense, bolster the offensive line possibly or add a running back.
On the heels of NFL Network’s Jim Trotter reporting Tuesday the Chargers consider themselves out of the running for Brady, multiple reporters have come with the inevitability the Buccaneers will get him.
Tampa Bay was the runner up for Brett Favre; it is not expected to be the runner up for Tom Brady.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
The #Bucs are in the "driver seat" for Tom Brady, source said. No announcement yet, but all indications continue to be that he's headed to Tampa.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2020
It’s no secret it was going to take big money to get Brady. Even though Tampa Bay is now essentially bidding against themselves, barring a team out there that’s not being rumored or reported less than 24 hours from when moves can be made official, they will pay the piper.
With the #Chargers out of the running, the #Bucs offer to QB Tom Brady is believed to be roughly $30M per year. They are the only known team to make an offer. Tampa Bay has been confident all day and for good reason. As we wait Tom Brady’s officials announcement, all eyes on TB.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
After that first slightly speculative tweet, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Brady and the Buccaneers have agreed in principle to a deal that will pay him roughly $30 million a year.
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
Let’s assume it’s going to be a two-year deal to bring Brady to Tampa Bay, with that roughly $60 million mostly, if not fully, guaranteed. That puts them in a window to be all-in to win the Super Bowl, which seems to fit nicely with Bruce Arians’ timeline as an older head coach.
Tom Brady will play in Tampa.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
This season’s Super Bowl is in Tampa.
No host city ever has had its home team play in the Super Bowl.
Tom Brady now aiming at more history.
The Super Bowl happens to be in Tampa next February. Will Brady lead the host team out of the tunnel at around 6:30 p.m. ET that night?