Presumably, Tom Brady is going nowhere. But the truth is that he should be. Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-5 – including 1-5 in their last six games – and these days the 45-year-old quarterback looks like a toddler at church: disinterested. So wouldn’t it make sense for the Bucs to trade Brady before tomorrow’s 4 p.m. annual NFL trading deadline and ship him somewhere it matters?
You bet it does.
In fact, Brady fits the criteria of the perfect trade candidate.
He’s old and a free agent-to-be. He still has something left. The Bucs look dead and there are plenty of teams who could stand to upgrade at quarterback.
With that in mind, here’s a fun look at potential trade candidates for Tampa if the Bucs ever were to consider moving on from Brady.
San Francisco
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Tom Brady of the New England Patriots talks with Hall of Famer Joe Montana prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This might seem odd to you given that San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo finished yesterday with a passer rating of 132.5, but look at it this way: Garoppolo wasn’t even the highest-rated passer on his team. That distinction belonged to Niners coach Kyle Shanahan’s new toy, Christian McCaffrey who caught, rushed for and passed for a touchdown in yesterday’s rout of the Rams. Pictured above with his idol, Joe Montana, Brady isn’t a perfect fit for the San Francisco offense, but he would be surrounded by a good defense and cast of weapons that might now be the best in the league.
Tennessee
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 17: Head Coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans talks with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a week two preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
More than two years ago, when Brady was a free agent for the first time in his career, we all remember Brady and Titans coach Mike Vrabel Face Timing one another while Vrabel sat in the stands during a college basketball game. Those Titans were a better team than this one, which lacks weapons in the air game and is tied for the fewest touchdown passes in football with just six. Tampa’s offense is in the bottom 10 of the NFL in scoring and still possesses, in Derrick Henry, a punishing running back. The Bucs have no running game to speak of. Could Henry unlock Brady? And isn’t Brady worlds better than Titans QB Ryan Tannehill?
Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 28 Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Colts have cornered the market on old, decrepit quarterbacks in the last three seasons, so how about one that might actually still be able to play? Two years ago, Indianapolis brought in Philip Rivers. Then they traded for Carson Wentz. Now they have Matt Ryan – and all three have been colossal failures. Incredibly, the Colts have ranked a mediocre 17th in passer rating over the last three years combined, but they are just 26th in the league in points scored. Weapons are a concern, but the Colts are still very much in the hunt in the AFC South. As is the case with Tennessee, Brady could swing the balance.
Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders walk off the field after their game at Allegiant Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders 45-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
A longshot? Of course it is. (Aren’t these all?) But again, let’s go back a couple of years. We now know that Brady had interest in the Raiders but that Jon Gruden elected to stick with Derek Carr, much to the chagrin of Brady, who voiced his disbelief on The Shop with LeBron James. Josh McDaniels’ first season as the Raiders’ head coach has left a great deal to be desired – the defense is atrocious – and the passing game has underachieved badly. Would Brady change that? You bet he would. And if the Raiders can’t get back into the playoff race in 2022, would a reunion with McDaniels give Brady reason to come back in 2023?
New England
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Don’t look now, but the Patriots are 4-4 and on the playoff bubble despite being one of only three NFL teams with more interceptions than touchdown passes. (The Steelers and Rams are the others.) Obviously, Brady isn’t coming back to Foxboro, but ask yourself this question: would you trade Mac Jones for him right now? How about Bailey Zappe? Would either be appealing to the Bucs, who are spinning their wheels? And would there be benefit for the Patriots, who don’t feel like Super Bowl contenders either way. But if we’re talking about borderline playoff teams who need improved play at quarterback, well, New England is on the list.
