NFL Roundtable: Are Brady and the Patriots headed for a divorce?

Every week we sit down with BetAmerica Extra columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. This week they weigh in on Tom Brady's future, the league's most valuable player, and which Bosa brother is better.

Tom Brady's future has come into question in the past week. Where do you expect him to be for Game 1 of the 2020 NFL season?

Ashley: Brady has said he’d like to play until he’s 45 but is now “taking it day by day.” If the Pats pull off the perfect season (or close to it and win the Super Bowl), he’ll retire. If he comes up short, he’ll return to chip away at more career records, but I don’t think Belichick is eager to give Tom a new contract. It’s too strange to imagine Brady closing out his career in a different uniform. If he’s back on the field in 2020, it’ll be with the Patriots.

James: I expect him to be starting for New England. I don’t think Brady will ever play for another team and while retirement will be a viable option if he wins a second consecutive Super Bowl (and seventh overall), Brady is the iron man. I wouldn’t bet against him returning for a 21st season.

Scott: I understand that Brady’s home in Brookline is for sale and that ESPN’s Adam Schefter is suggesting that it is not likely he will return after this season, but my money is still on him being a Patriot for Game 1 of the 2020 NFL campaign. Brady and the team still have a great relationship and I believe in the end he will decide to play out his career in New England and retire a Patriot.

We've now hit the midway point of the 2019 season. Who is your pick for MVP?

Ashley: I wish I could name an entire unit MVP, because if so, the Patriots defense is undoubtedly the most valuable asset to New England and has dominated opposing offenses in mind-blowing fashion. Since I have to give it to one player, I think the obvious choice at the moment is Aaron Rodgers. In his last two games, he’s scored nine total touchdowns and might own an undefeated record had his offense not suffered so many injuries against the Eagles.

James: Aaron Rodgers by a slim margin. Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson deserve consideration, but Rogers has really come on of late, leading the 7-1 Packers to big road wins at Dallas and Kansas City in the last month.

Scott: At the midway point, Seattle’s Russell Wilson is my pick for MVP. Wilson has not been quite as good the last couple of weeks, but the Seahawks are just average on defense and likely would be well below .500 without him as their quarterback. The fact they are 6-2 speaks volumes about Wilson’s value.

Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa both have seven sacks after the first eight games of the season and have been integral to their teams’ defenses. Who is the better Bosa at this point in their career?

Ashley: I’ll give Nick the better start to his career. On top of seven sacks, he’s tallied 16 solo tackles, one forced fumble and an interception through his first six games. Joey kicked off his career with a late start due to injury and recorded 11 solo tackles in the same amount of games, no interceptions his first season and played on a much worse team in his rookie campaign in 2016.

James: Nick Bosa. The rookie proved dominant Sunday, recording three sacks and an interception, and his impact has made a difference for a San Francisco defense that has been superb so far. Nick Bosa leads the race for Rookie of the Year honors.

Scott: Great question because both Ohio State Buckeyes have been dominant over the first half of the 2019 season. For a rookie, Nick has been awesome, compiling seven sacks along with 16 solo tackles and four assists for one of the best teams in the league. However, Joey is the more complete player with seven sacks, 28 solo tackles, and 14 assists for a team that has struggled to live up to expectations in Los Angeles.

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