Tom Brady announced Tuesday that he won’t be re-signing with the Patriots and instead will sign the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after contract stipulations are worked out. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, Brady has two “wants” that must be met before the contract is agreed upon. NFL Network reported Tuesday that the deal could be worth $30 million per year “or more.”
“Some of the things Brady wants: Control over roster [and] he wants to be part of making decisions on the play calling,” Russini said this week on ESPN’s Get Up.
Brady seeking control of personnel is outlandish, almost unheard of in modern day football. However, if the deal requires the 42-year-old’s control over roster decisions before signing, the Buccaneers have to pull the trigger. Who knows, he may just re-connect with Antonio Brown. That signing would instantly complete the best receiver trio in the NFL, adding to the phenomenal pair of Bucs’ wideouts, Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
“I talked to Tampa Bay. They would love to have Tom Brady,” Russini mentioned later. “They are willing to give Tom Brady the things he needs, he wants.”
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Being involved with the play calling is not far-fetched for a quarterback with a stellar resume like Brady. Aaron Rodgersis notorious for calling his own plays and other former quarterbacks like Peyton Manning have demonstrated the same ability, so it’s not unreasonable for someone like Brady to give his input on an integral part of the game. Brady possesses maybe two years left of above average play, but what remains of his career evidently has to be on his terms. The Bucs are built to win now, especially with a high-caliber offense and a 67-year-old coach Bruce Arians who is hungry for a ring and arguably considered one of the best coaches in the league. This is Brady’s one chance to show how great he is without Bill Belichick’s coaching.
