Tom Brady Leaves Pats; Expects to Sign With Tampa Bay

It happened. It finally happened. For the first time in 19 years, next September the Patriots will line up without Tom Brady under center (providing the Coronavirus doesn’t kill us all by then).

FOREVER A PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/QSBOJBs4uy

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020

LOVE YOU PATS NATION pic.twitter.com/lxSQZmnjPL

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020

It’s weird to say. “Tom Brady is not a Patriot,” I honestly thought he’d die in that uniform. But, with his departure from New England, now attention shifts to where the old man (42) will end up.

With Teddy Bridgewater signing in Carolina and Philip Rivers in Indy, Brady looks to land in Tampa Bay.

Colts agree to terms with QB Philip Rivers on one-year deal worth roughly $25M. (via @judybattista + @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/lMz6o4U1uJ

— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2020

The story was originally broken by Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington.

Tampa is the expected landing spot for Tom Brady barring anything unforeseen, sources tell me and @JeffDarlington.

There's no signing date or announcement officially set up, but Brady is expected to be a Buccaneer.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020

The Buccaneers having gotten serious about Brady in February.

In mid-February, the Bucs recognized that Tom Brady was serious about free agency. And they immediately became serious about him, lurking in the background with the belief they had all the elements Brady was looking for. And this week, they got their chance to prove it.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 17, 2020

Honestly, it’ll be interesting to see how Brady fits in Tampa. The Bucs have one of the most talented receiving corps in the league but, Brady struggled to drive the ball down the field in 2019.

Bruce Arians’ offense is predicated on the deep passing game. If Brady doesn’t have enough left in the tank in 2020 Arians’ “no risk it, no biscuit” offense might be in trouble.

Expect Tampa to also look for a new signal caller in this year’s draft. With the 14th pick in the draft, Tampa isn’t likely a player for Tua Tagovailoa or Joe Burrow unless they trade up. They don’t have a ton of picks in this draft but, maybe they move a first-rounder next year.