Tom Brady struggles as Tennessee Titans rumors swirl
NASHVILLE — Quarterback Tom Brady is again being linked to the Tennessee Titans as his free agency looms. Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-10) fell at home on Monday night in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs 31-14 to the Dallas Cowboys (13-5). "Tom to Tennessee" rumblings have started even before the legendary passer got […]
NASHVILLE — Quarterback Tom Brady is again being linked to the Tennessee Titans as his free agency looms. Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-10) fell at home on Monday night in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs 31-14 to the Dallas Cowboys (13-5).
"Tom to Tennessee" rumblings have started even before the legendary passer got bounced from the postseason.
“Among the teams that would consider Brady, a couple of them considered Brady last time (in the 2020 free agency cycle),” said NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Jan. 15. “The Tennessee Titans still have some quarterback questions. The 49ers if they do not decide to roll with Brock Purdy, although he’s certainly stating his case. And then the Las Vegas Raiders, who have several of his old friends including Josh McDaniels.”
Buckle up, kids.
Brady's interest in Tennessee is still unknown
This part is critical.
Beyond it seeming like a questionable football decision, the Titans doing due diligence on Brady does not mean that the quarterback has displayed interest in coming to Nashville yet. The list of teams who are exploring Brady as an option in free agency will continue to grow as we get closer to March's player movement frenzy. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is currently the best available player at his position that is set to hit the market.
Why would coming to Tennessee behind (currently) a worse offensive line and skill position situation than he currently had in Tampa make any sense?
The matter of Brady's season-long struggles is also of note. He finished his 23rd NFL season with one of the least efficient campaigns of his career. Brady averaged only 6.4 yards per attempt in 2022 while leading the league in passing attempts.
The Buccaneers offense became completely unbalanced this year with the league's worst rushing attack (1,308 yards). Injuries plagued Brady's offensive line, as well, making it nearly impossible for the quarterback to truly find his rhythm with a coaching staff that is expected to make changes after a disappointing end.
Compounded with all of the on-field problems, Brady's last 12 months have been beyond bizarre. The quarterback "retired," returned to football after 40 days off, got divorced, and took a leave-of-absence from training camp that saw him miss the Buccaneers joint work in Nashville this summer. Brady finished with the worst regular season record of his career (8-9).
There is no question that, at 45-years old, Brady still possesses the ability to be great. His next situation also needs to be great around him at this stage of his career and the Titans organization has more questions than answers.
Tennessee should pass on Brady before silly season gets too far underway.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
