Tom Brady undergoing physical for Bucs with neutral doctor in New York

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

On Wednesday night it felt like Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit a snag in his contract terms. But on Thursday, it appears they’ve reached the final stages of the deal.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Bucs and Tom Brady still trying to finalize contract language as of Wednesday night and those discussions will go into Thursday, per source. Contract language more challenging this off-season than any time in recent memory. No problems forseen with Bucs-Brady, but no deal yet.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020" rel="noopener" target="_blank">tweeted on Wednesday that the two sides were still working on finalizing Brady’s contract, hours after many expected the official announcements to drop as the league year officially began. But there’s some understandable context: the NFL’s

In a memo to teams, the NFL has implemented new rules for free agency and postponed the off-season training activities indefinitely, in a memo obtained by ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gFkSErJBa4

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">current restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic prohibit teams from bringing free agents (even their own) to their facilities to meet with team personnel, including team doctors. Teams and free agents are allowed, however, to agree upon a doctor to conduct a “neutral physician exam” to get the process done that way.

That is reportedly what the Bucs and Brady have done. According to ESPN’s

No concern over finding a doctor to perform Tom Brady’s physical. He’s able to make that happen today in New York. It would be ideal if it was the Bucs’ team doctors — but these are unprecedented times and everyone is on the same page. Everything is moving along just fine.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 19, 2020" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Jeff Darlington, who has been at the forefront of the Brady reporting in recent weeks, Brady is getting a physical with an agreed-upon doctor in New York. “Everyone is on the same page,” Darlington says.

So, barring a last-minute shock with the physical, it sure sounds like there will finally be an official announcement of Brady to the Bucs as soon as Thursday. The league is in unprecedented times and that seems to explain why teams across the league are slow to announce new deals. Brady isn’t alone. The only moves the Patriots have officially announced are their own internal signings and the trading of Duron Harmon.

Brady and the Bucs could set an example for how teams can get deals done despite the travel restrictions.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.