Quarterback Tom Brady May Leave Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Free Agency

The GOAT may be looking for a new home following this season. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady could leave the team in the 2023 offseason in search of greener pastures.

From @NFLGameDay: With an eye toward Monday night, #Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was clear about Mike McCarthy's job status, while #Bucs QB Tom Brady will be one of the most interesting free agents in 2023. pic.twitter.com/MuPsUiey91
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2023

Rapoport lists the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and the Las Vegas Raiders as teams that would be interested in signing Brady.

Brady was born in the San Francisco region and still has family in the area. The 14-4 49ers have an absolutely loaded roster, but they'd rob their promising young quarterbacks Trey Lance and Brock Purdy of starting opportunities if they chase Brady. The 49ers still have Lance and Purdy locked up at low cost for multiple years on their rookie deals, so if the team truly believes Brady would provide a significant upgrade for a year or two, he could be a fit.

Brady and current Titans head coach Mike Vrabel played together on the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2008, winning three Super Bowls and forging a life-long friendship. Brady even completed 12 touchdown passes to Vrabel in regular season and postseason play despite Vrabel typically playing defense. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill has proven himself competent when available over the past four years, but the Titans have consistently tried to minimize his role on the team: he has averaged only 28.5 pass attempts and 225.1 passing yards per game over his 57 appearances.

The Raiders present the clearest path to a starting opportunity. Head coach Josh McDaniels served as Brady's offensive coordinator with the Patriots from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2019. The Raiders have also already begun publicly distancing themselves from franchise quarterback Derek Carr. Brady reportedly nearly signed with the Raiders in 2020.

Brady is set to hit unrestricted free agency following this season and is ineligible for the franchise tag. If he chooses to play, the possibility that he could radically shake up the NFL in free agency (again) becomes more real every day.