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Tom Brady has said he’s done playing. Now, he’s saying he’d return to play late in the season for a contender.
There’s a chance Brady is up to something more than that.
His decision to open the door about a possible return during the 2024 season could prompt one or more teams to call him about a possible return before the season even begins. And that might be his plan, to say just enough about a potential in-season return to get someone to initiate discussions with him now.
If he’s willing to play, why wait? Why not look for a spot before rosters become basically set after the draft?
The timing bolsters the idea that this wasn’t some accident or coincidence but a deliberate strategy to gauge interest. Look at the teams that still need quarterbacks. Two weeks from now, those needs could be filled with rookie first-rounders.
Current possibilities include, in no particular order, the Patriots, Broncos, Raiders, Commanders, Giants, Vikings, and Seahawks. Assuming he still has his arm (a safe assumption) and that he’s in a spot where he can make the full commitment to football season (he’d have to ditch his gig at Fox, to the delight of Greg Olsen), Brady could make things interesting for each of those teams.
It’s not just about competing for a Super Bowl. For the teams, it would sell tickets and jerseys and generate plenty of interest.
Two years ago, the Dolphins were trying to lure Brady and Sean Payton to town. Surely, Payton would be interested in bringing Brady to Denver. The Patriots would fill Gillette Stadium every week if he were to return. The Raiders would be better. The Commanders would be credible. The Vikings become potentially intriguing with a pairing of Brady with former New England teammate Kevin O’Connell.
Brady mentioned that his looming purchase of a piece of the Raiders could keep a return from happening. And it definitely would, if/when owners approve a transaction that is stalled in pigskin purgatory. He could just table things until next March and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-calls-comeback-202701119.html
Author : ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports
Publish date : 2024-04-12 20:27:01
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