Brady parts ways with Patriots, but where will he play next?

It’s official. Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots, the team he helped build into a dynasty, with six Super Bowl titles.  

Brady bid farewell to Patriots fans in an Instagram post Tuesday, when he said his time with New England “has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life.”

With Brady behind center and Bill Belichick as their head coach, the Patriots transformed into an unrelenting machine, always in the hunt for a championship.

A sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady will one day enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. 

At the age of 42, Brady will now hit the free-agent market, looking for a new destination and a new challenge.

Which team will Brady sign with? Let's take a look at a few possible candidates.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have jumped to the top of the list of possible destinations for Brady, as former first overall pick Jameis Winston is also a free agent. 

Winston is 26 years old and threw for 5,109 yards last year, but he also has the dubious distinction of throwing 30 interceptions. Ball security had always been a struggle during his development in Tampa Bay, but this past season was particularly dreadful. 

Brady’s best days appear to be behind him. He threw for 4,057 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, a decline for him in both statistical categories, which is inevitable at his age. His last pass for the Patriots wasn't his best, either. 

You can envision, though, the Buccaneers would welcome a veteran quarterback who is a proven winner. They haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and have odds at BetAmerica of +2500 to win Super Bowl LV.

Tampa Bay’s receiving corps, most notably Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and O.J. Howard, would also be of interest for free-agent quarterbacks. 

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have moved on from veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. 

After he posted a record of 12-4 in 2018, the Chargers were considered a Super Bowl contender ahead of last season. But the injury bug hit them, Rivers struggled, they finished out of the playoffs with a 5-11 record, and eventually decided it was time for a change at quarterback.  

If the Chargers are still in win-now mode, they could target Brady, as the quarterback who could finally put them over the hump. Perhaps he can get the best out of receiver Mike Williams and tight end Hunter Henry, provided they remain healthy. 

The Chargers can always use this draft to build for the future at the quarterback position, but the motivation might be there to sign Brady, if they believe he can take them into the playoffs and to a Super Bowl. 

Of course that would mean getting by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Miami Dolphins

It would be amazing if Brady left the Patriots only to stay in the AFC East.

The Dolphins went into full-on rebuild mode last season. They have 14 selections in this year’s draft, including three first-round picks and six picks in the first three rounds. 

Would Brady want to join a team that has been mediocre for a long time, horrible last season, and still likely a couple years away — at least — from contending?

That’s a theory even members of the Dolphins ownership and coaching staff appeared to echo in recent weeks. But it’s the NFL, so sometimes it’s best to take some comments with a grain of salt.

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