Evaluating where Tom Brady could play in 2023, per Bucky Brooks
Tom Brady and his NFL future are once again up in the air after the 2022 season. Brady, who’s in his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, could play elsewhere in 2023 to extend his two-decade-plus career. NFL analyst Bucky Brooks revealed three places where Brady could take his talents for next season.
Brady’s first two seasons with the Bucs were highly successful: a Super Bowl victory in 2020 and nearly doing it again last season. However, despite an NFC South lead, Brady and the Bucs are just 6-7 with a one game lead over the Panthers. This season, Brady has 3,585 yards, 17 touchdowns, five interceptions and 65.8% completion percentage. For reference, Brady had 83 touchdown passes over the last two years.
Below are three options for Brady in 2023, according to Brooks, including a very familiar place to finish out his career.
New England Patriots
Brooks: “Brady’s return would put 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones on the bench or on the trading block. But if he remained a part of the team, Jones would have a chance to watch Brady conduct a master class in leadership and organization. Moreover, Jones could learn from a quarterback with similar traits as a pocket passer.”
Finishing out in New England would be a nice ending, but only if Brady believes he could win one more Super Bowl with Bill Belichick and help set the franchise up for the future with Mac Jones, or even someone else.
San Francisco 49ers
Brooks: “Brady is a traditional dropback passer with limited mobility — and we’ve seen Kyle Shanahan have success with a quarterback like that during his time as offensive coordinator in Atlanta … Myriad play-action passes, deep crossers and double moves would enable the veteran to push the ball down the field without taxing his arm, thanks to the sensational run-after-the-catch skills of the 49ers’ playmakers.”
The hometown team for Brady. As Brooks points out, it’s a fairytale type of ending but this could be the best bet for the perceived GOAT to win one more title with the bevy of talent on offense and defense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Brooks: “Brady’s deep connection with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, who was Brady’s offensive coordinator in 11 of his seasons with the Patriots, could make Las Vegas his destination of choice … Current Raiders starter Derek Carr signed a three-year extension in April, but he is owed no guaranteed money after this season, according to Over the Cap. He is also on track to post his lowest completion rate (62%) since 2015 and his lowest yards-per-game mark (239.8) and passer rating (89.4) since 2017.”
This only makes sense if McDaniels wants to move on from Carr and if there is actually magic between the former Patriots offensive coordinator and Brady. But it would be quite wild to see Brady in Las Vegas. Heck, UFC boss Dana White even wanted Brady in Vegas.
Brady and the Bucs are back in action Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals at 4:25 p.m. ET.