What is Brady's Future in the NFL?

After two decades, the GOAT is up for grabs.

Tom Brady, long-time quarterback of the New England Patriots, is now entering free agency for the first time in his illustrious career, and the NFL couldn’t be more abuzz with rumors on what’s next for the superstar. Predictions for Brady fall mostly into one of two categories: signs with a new team, or retires. There are several teams interested in the veteran quarterback (as they should be), but the main leads have the star leaving the east coast for the west coast.

According to multiple sources, the two teams with the biggest chance of snagging one of the biggest fishes in this year’s free agency pond are the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders. However, according to a recent article, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have joined the race to sign Brady. According to Tyler Sullivan, a writer for CBS Sports, the Buccaneers might decide to let current starting quarterback Jameis Winston walk if he and his agent ask for too much money this off-season, and would be then looking for a replacement to run their offense.

While the article makes a strong case for Brady packing up and moving to Florida, is it really a possibility? The image of #12 lofting spirals to wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and sending darts in the direction of tight end O.J. Howard, would be interesting to see over Brady’s final couple of years in the NFL. But what’s to stop him from calling it quits now?

Maybe the victor mentality within him won’t let him end his career with a loss, much less two straight defeats to the worst-in-the-league Miami Dolphins followed by a humiliating playoff defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans. If that’s the case, why then would Brady want a change of scenery? Wouldn’t the team he wants to lead to Super Bowl LV (55) be none other than his beloved Patriots?

I can’t picture Tom Brady on another team. It’s too late in his career to think about changing teams. Since the Patriots were eliminated early in the playoffs, by a team they probably expected to trample, retirement is almost certainly postponed, at least for one more year. However, when the superstar inevitably finds himself in the Super Bowl again, sooner rather than later, and adds a seventh ring to his collection, I think we’ll witness Brady hang up his cape. But until then, in my opinion, Tom Brady isn’t going anywhere.