Deshaun Watson And Tom Brady Speculation
February 21st, 2022
Trade capital?
Is Tom Brady done with the NFL? He said he retired but less than a week later he began waffling. So who knows?
Many respected, plugged-in national NFL writers believe Brady is done with the Bucs but may not be done with the NFL. Some think Brady is scheming for a way to get traded to the 49ers.
One who can see the path of Brady playing for the 49ers this fall is the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio.
Florio hopped on the “Rich Eisen Show” last week and talked at length about the quarterback carousel and Brady and the Bucs was a subject. It’s to the point that unless the Bucs know something we don’t (which is very possible), they must soon get a starting quarterback, unless they are convinced unsigned Blaine Gabbert can lead them to the promised land.
But what if the Bucs do go out and get, say, Deshaun Watson and then Brady texts Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht saying, “I’m ready to come back.” What does Licht do?
Florio says the resolution is simple: You trade Brady.
“As a practical matter, if the Buccaneers go out and fill that seat with a veteran who is pricy, and spend draft capital to get that guy, if [Brady] comes back after that, they are not going to keep both of them. [Brady] is necessarily going to go somewhere else.
“I believe — the question that gets raised all the time, ‘What else does he have to prove? What else does he have left to accomplish?’ Well, he’s never played for the 49ers, the team he rooted for growing up. And we know two years ago that was his first choice and they didn’t want him.
“And if I’m the 49ers and my choices are Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance or Tom Brady for 2022 and I want to win the Super Bowl in 2022, I’m going with Tom Brady.”
Now what would be cool, and Joe has no idea if there is some weird NFL reserve list to do this, is if the Bucs could somehow park Watson on ice (provided the Bucs acquire him) with a minimum to no cap hit and tell him, “Get your legal crap out of the way by April 2023 and we’re good. And we will re-do your contract and give you a bonus when you get back.” And then go with Brady for 2022.
Of course, that’s probably nonsense. But Joe can dream, right?
Shoot, we don’t even know if Brady wants to wear a creamsicle practice jersey again.
February 21st, 2022 at 5:29 am
What else does he have to prove? Has anybody else Quarterbacked THREE Super Bowl championship teams? Well, there you go. Another feather in the cap.
February 21st, 2022 at 5:29 am
*Three DIFFERENT teams
February 21st, 2022 at 5:29 am
And the “Chronicles of Brady” continue………lol
GO BUCS!!!
February 21st, 2022 at 6:32 am
Tom Brady does not like Bruce arrogance.
February 21st, 2022 at 6:38 am
For every story about Brady being upset with the Bucs there is another about how he loves it here. For every story about TB12 returning, there is another saying he’ll never return from retirement. The media just makes this up.
Enough of this nonsense, speculation and unnamed 3rd sources. I’ll tune in when there is an announcement from the team. Until then this is a waste of time. Joe, please focus on FA and the draft.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:10 am
Is anything else going on?
February 21st, 2022 at 7:16 am
Brady is building a new house here in Tampa.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:16 am
We all know Bruce is a straight shooter, but Brady has stated that 90% of what he says is BS.
So take it however you want, concerning the current “2022 Brady Chronicles”
I hope Tom does well in whatever his future endeavors are, wether as a NFL QB or in Business, may you prosper all the more Tom.
But I am glad that BA is the Head Coach, like it or not whoever you are, BA has one of the highest winning percentages historically in the NFL as has been noted by this blog by “JOE” And that was with the Colts and Cards and Bucs, not exactly your household NFL Dynasties lol, and BA still has a winning record none the less.
GO BUCS!!!!!
February 21st, 2022 at 7:24 am
Soo tired of the TB talk. Can’t wait for this all to be over. Bucs please hurry up and sign or name trask the starter and please for the love of god let’s move in with our lives. Soo glad Brady came. Pissed the way he left but w.e. That’s life let’s go Bucs. Joe can we get some stories about up coming prospects and maybe some other news about FA and less about Brady? Lol I know people want drama but im over it
February 21st, 2022 at 7:30 am
Agreed. I wish Tommy Touchdown every success in his future, whatever it may be. He gave us a Super Bowl. Everything above that is gravy. He should absolutely be in the ROH toot sweet. Thanks for the memories Tom Brady.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:31 am
This speculation is exactly what Tom Brady wants……that’s why he said “never say never”
If there is any chance that Brady could come back to the Bucs, going with Gabbert/Trask would be the best way to leave that door open.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:40 am
Brady being a ring chaser would cheapen his legacy. If he wants to play again i could see him playing in miami where he lives
February 21st, 2022 at 7:52 am
A trade for Watson would mean not only giving up multiple draft picks but taking on 2 years of $40 million cap hits- Bucs would have no choice but to rework a long term deal in the $300 million range-
Talk about mortgaging the house for 1 player!! And a player who either needs help or has questionable judgment-
Brady is great but the Bucs won as a team and Brady was signed as a free agent.- Watson acquisition would destroy the Bucs’ roster.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:54 am
Brady isn’t going to learn another offense at this stage. He mentioned how difficult it was learning our offense. Brady, always prepared, would need to get into his new playbook for OTA’s. That ain’t happening, none of it is happening, Brady ain’t coming back. In two weeks Gabbert will be resigned, and the company line will be it’s his time, we believe in Blaine Gabbert. Evans will say, great, let’s get throwing, and hopefully soon the media will have reports of Gabbert, Trask, Evans leading workouts at a local high school, and we’ll talk real football again.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:01 am
Bucs will be in playoffs again next year regardless of who the QB is. Brady is not going anywhere unless Bucs agree to it. Looking forward to next season.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:03 am
August, BA’s winning with the Bucs came at the hand if Brady, pre Brady he was 7-9. BA.took over in Indy, once again with Luck another elite QB and NO SB. He went to the SB with AZ but couldn’t seal the deal with Palmer & Fitzgerald (at that time the best WR in the league). Let’s see how he coaches with a so so QB, because even if they get Watson, who is to say he’s not rusty? Wasn’t he 4-12 his last season? I agree, let the TB12 thing go until there’s a real story cause right now nothing to see here. If it’s the 49ers just go trade for Jimmy G and a 3rd or 4th round pick and get this over with. The 9ers is perfect for Brady, Shanahan is a real coach and Brady’s focus could be on his job not everyone elses.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:07 am
Wouldn’t you think Brady was bright enough to have some no trade or selective trade clause in that last contract? And if so, you can bet Brady could either stay retired, or basically skew the compensaton for the trade. So I wouldn’t get too exccited about that.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:27 am
The NFL is playing 10 best games of 2021 season and they are replaying #10 is Bucs/ Bill’s. The Brady/Godwin combination is just magic! Scooo fing good!
February 21st, 2022 at 8:29 am
So Brady hated Belichick? Now he hates Arians? I guess he hates his wife too. And his kids. This is all about Tom. About him wanting to play out some boyhood fantasy about playing for the 49ers. The hell with his legacy. And his family. Does that make ANY sense?
All from a stray comment. Jim Gray is not stupid. This was planned. But it was designed to keep him in the discussion because he is now marketing other things. It worked.
As an insurance policy, the Bucs hold his rights. And as long as they stick with Gabbert or Trask, TB12 cannot force a trade. So let’s just keep this all in perspective. Brady is done. He’s not coming back. Not to Tampa. Not to SF. Or NO. Or Tennessee. Or NE.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:35 am
Brady does have a No Trade clause which only means he can say no to a potential trade if he does not want to go to that team for whatever reason , but Brady has no sway on compensation.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:35 am
List…you just seem to have a problem with facts, 3 teams and a winning record.
Say what you want about BA, but Billy B STILL has a career losing record without TB 12 at the helm.
BA had a career winning record BEFORE Brady ever showed up to play for BA.
GO BUCS!!!!
February 21st, 2022 at 8:42 am
@Listnfrmafar
Bruce arrogance never went to the superbowl with arizona.The playoff record was 1 win and two loses from a total of two appearances.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:42 am
Joe, why are you clamoring for a guy with moral issues who also put himself above his teammates? He demanded out of Houston before the massage stuff hit the fan. Didn’t this team have enough with Jameis and all of his issues?
The legal issues are not parking tickets. They are serious.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:47 am
August 1976 Buc Says:
February 21st, 2022 at 8:35 am
List…you just seem to have a problem with facts, 3 teams and a winning record.
Say what you want about BA, but Billy B STILL has a career losing record without TB 12 at the helm.
BA had a career winning record BEFORE Brady ever showed up to play for BA.
Okay let me add, Billy B is 1-2 playoff record without Brady 1-1 with the Browns,
and 0-1 with NE.
GO BUCS!!!!
February 21st, 2022 at 8:50 am
If Bucs are unable to pry Russ away from Seahawks , they will still be in playoffs with Trask.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:50 am
If it wasn’t for Brady there would be nothing else for sports people to write or talk about.
February 21st, 2022 at 8:51 am
Watson is a degenerate bum-pass.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:00 am
any trade for watson would require houston to absorb most of that contract
February 21st, 2022 at 9:06 am
Debauchery Watson is innocent until proven guilty….22 times….He has started the “Me Twenty-Two” movement.
Or….perhaps he simply had 22 “hassles” with the masseuses.
Lets give up some drat picks….give him $40 mil a year and make him the face of the franchise…..how ’bout it Darcie Glazer….what ya think?
February 21st, 2022 at 9:07 am
Fans and media are going to go crazy with so much speculation and rumors regarding all of these quarterbacks.
All of these teams have made their own beds with their salary cap issues. They want the best players but there is too high of a percentage of their caps tied up into 3 or 4 players. Its hard to have any depth in this league of quality players and its even harder to win when you highest cap players are injury prone.
Look at what has happened to the Eagles and the Texans. Wentz took up a huge amount of salary with the Eagles and was hurt all of the time. They had to move him. Texans have not had the services of Watson due to injuries and issues. Cards signed Hopkins to giant deal, he goes down.
The NFL is highly successful with their system but individual teams are banking too much money into a select few players and due to injuries they see their hopes fade and can’t resign replacement free agents while these players are rehabbing or getting surgery.
There should be a designation that teams can go over the cap with some type of serious injury related exemption for their highest earning players being sidelined for more than 8 games in a season.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:10 am
Honestly? To me the biggest wrench in the Brady to the 49ers talk is IF the 9ers want to win a Super Bowl right now. That sounds stupid, but think about the situation they’re in right now at Quarterback.
Odds are that yeah, they transition to Lance this year. But if they bring in Brady, how long does Brady want to play? If he wants to go another 4, Lance’s rookie deal is up. Every year they play with Brady on the roster and Lance in reserve, is another year they lose playing on Lance’s rookie deal. If you’re San Fran, you spent a 1st rounder in 2021, 2022, 2023, and a third in 2022 to get this kid. You practically had him sit on the bench for a year, and now you want to bring in Brady so he can sit on the bench for longer? It seems stupid. It’s not like they’re the Packers drafting Rodgers on a draft day slide, they moved major capital to get this kid. You spent 3 first rounders so you could cough up $30 million when his deal is up and he’s seen less action than any of the other first round rookies? Not to mention that whatever cap space you were anticipating by cutting Jimmy G, you get far less of with Brady. Without a rework, Brady hits for about $20 mil this year in comparison to Jimmy’s $26.
Aside from losing out on the money you save playing Lance on his rookie deal, you suffer from some major scheme detriments too. Brady and Lance are vastly different styles of QB. If you go out and get Brady, odds are that what you build for him won’t work for Lance. Again, every year spent with Brady at the helm is another year lost to work with Lance. Building your team around Brady means more time spent not adjusting it to work with Lance.
Realistically, I just don’t see it being in the 49ers best interests to bring Brady on board when they’re prepping to shift to a QB that plays in a radically different way.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:12 am
I think we’re back where we were two years ago, and that’s ok. Build/reinforce the trenches.. overhaul the defense and when the team is in better shape and a little further removed from cap hell go after a QB.
The Steelers have the best model for success, consistency. Damn shame we couldn’t have hired Flores and replaced Bowles.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:13 am
yep brady can sort of trick teams into taking him in a “win all right now” mode, and literally toss their own team under the salary cap bus moving forward to cater to brady’s needs to get a superbowl…
that’s what we did, and what a few others could do moving forward – because brady’s secret goal just might be 10 rings…
he wasn’t getting 10 in new england, nor in tampa…
he’s going to have to bounce to the most superbowl ready teams to potentially get 10…
he will no longer be called the “goat”…he will be called the “ring whore”…
be careful how you fin out mr. brady…be careful…everyone is watching and judging…
hopefully you will stay with us tommy b…stay with integrity and fin out with 8, maybe 9 in a tampa dream come true…
hustle for 10 outside of tampa and become a clown
February 21st, 2022 at 9:16 am
August, you maybe the only person in the entire world that compares BA to Belichick and bives BA is a better coach. The proof is in the pudding, apparently Brady doesn’t see your point of view. FYI, Brady wanted to retire in NE, it was Belichick tried to get rid of him in 2017, thought he was done until he took them to back to back SB’s. Belichick in 2020 wouldn’t give Brady 2 yr contract for the same as Bucs did $50M, they offered 1yr at $14M. He doesn’t hate Belichick, he is soured at Kraft for not stepping in, hence the no mention of Pat’s in his original retirement speach.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:26 am
adam, the ultimate goal is to win a SB, not to build a team that goes to the playoffs every season and loses. Look at the Rams, they also mortgaged their future to win the SB and it worked. I guess the Bucs could of passed on Brady, never signed Gronk, AB, Lenny & Sherman (didn’t play but great coach/leader) and kept Winsten and went 8-9, no TV revenue, less memorabilia and ticket sales and stayed
a losing franchise. That was definitely another option.
February 21st, 2022 at 9:39 am
@Listnfrmafar:
that’s not what i’m talking about…
i’m saying if tom wins ring 8 in a 2 year stint with san fran…
then goes to oakland and wins number 9 in a 2 year stint with the raiders…
then bounces to miami to win number 10…
it would be so cheesy…
classic and cheesy at the same time…
like a whore going for the richest guy each night…
i dunno, maybe i’m crazy and times have changed…and selling out is fine and dandy in these modern times
February 21st, 2022 at 9:45 am
i dunno man…i have integrity…i won’t slam 2 girls in one night…and i never insist they go “atm” 🙂
February 21st, 2022 at 9:51 am
so if we are truly hot on watson’s trail, is this how licht opens a phone call with his fellow gm:
“houston, we have a problem…”
🙂
February 21st, 2022 at 9:59 am
Based on the way insiders on Joes, keep writing, I would say with 95% chance they are trading for Deshaun Watson. They have already setup some defence into the situation and tried repeatedly selling the Watson trade. He is a younger top 10 QB. I presume they will trade 2 1st or maybe 2 2s, and then will Trade Toms rights for 1st maybe a second to recoup some of the loss.
Nearly all the stories on other available cheaper QBs on this site are mostly hit jobs on Jimmy and Wentz.
Carr, Wilson, Rodgers are not going to Tampa and probably will not leave their teams and all just get new 40-45/m/y contracts.
So the fan base should brace for Deshaun Watson trade and 40m/y cap hit, he will the NEW face of the franchise.
February 21st, 2022 at 10:03 am
“he will no longer be called the “goat”…he will be called the “ring whore”…”
Seriously, TB is now the equal of Gollum
February 21st, 2022 at 10:12 am
Deshaun as the face of the franchise… yikes… imagine if Kraft was the face of the Pats…
February 21st, 2022 at 10:30 am
Houston does have a problem they created it we don’t need it
February 21st, 2022 at 11:00 am
List… The only point I am making is that BA is a winning coach. I am not comparing BA to Billy B, just showing how even a sure HOF Coach -Billy B did not look great without Brady. BA had a carrer winning record before Brady ever laced them up for the Bucs. I say that because you denigrate BA and penalize him because of Bradys time with the Bucs. BA is still a good Head Coach in spite of his flaws.
GO BUCS!!
February 21st, 2022 at 11:13 am
Or traded to Miami, which kinda needs a quarterback, the place where he has actually chosen to live going forward.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:24 am
I find it hard to believe that TB12 will retire after having one of his best seasons ever…
Plus – TB12 is still healthy.
No doubt he still has gas in the tank. SF makes the most sense to me. The writing is on the wall and Jimmy G is probably done with the 49ers.
I wouldn’t hand over the team to Trey Lance and hope for the best.
Can’t wait to see what happens.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:24 am
Can we get a few articles about beefing up the defense please? That is our weakest link, other than QB at the moment. We need a big play CB and a DE or LB. The defense will be even worse next season without big upgrades.
February 21st, 2022 at 11:56 am
Watson.. good luck if you want another scandal mess. Don’t see that being resolved anytime soon. Great QB though. Brady.. I’d be plays again and he doesn’t mind Gisele then divorcing him it’ll be in Miami or San Fran. Still, one seems undesirable and the other fantasy driven by his feelers. Odds are you get Mr. Glass aka Jimmy G. Be funny having him in Brady’s shadow yet again.
February 21st, 2022 at 12:40 pm
The orange throwback uniforms can be worn next year, so that’s enough to chase Brady out of town. Loserville will be out in force to reminisce about uniforms that were awful and the team was awful.
February 21st, 2022 at 2:00 pm
August, if Bucs don’t win the 2020 SB, BA never makes it into the HOF. You forget Belichick was assistant coach to Parcells. That’s a pretty good mentor.
February 21st, 2022 at 7:03 pm
TBs brought the Bucs a SB championship, says he loves his coaches, teammates, city and fans, but is now ready to retire and I believe him until he says otherwise. Respect that, because at this time anything beyond that is pure off-season speculation by a bunch of talking heads.
And GM Licht, in the meantime, please consider drafting a similar message to Tom as this:
“Thank you Tom for all the success we’ve shared with you since you arrived. Hoping you would continue displaying the same mutual respect you always have before, please let us know if you’ve changed your mind about retiring. It would be beneficial to us both if you would let us know in advance of us deciding to go in another direction at QB…..or if you do want to comeback but somewhere else other than here in Tampa, let us know that too and we will respectfully try to accommodate you too. One way or the other, please let us know ASAP.”
February 21st, 2022 at 7:20 pm
These reports are getting so annoying and stupid. Brady retired. He is gone. Move on
February 21st, 2022 at 7:33 pm
The end of the article which references Joe’s “dream” is hilarious. Just makes me think of all the couch GM’s that spew ridiculous moves that should be made. We should trade Suh and JPP for Aaron Donald and then trade Ronald Jones and Fournette for Derrick Henry. You know that kind of stuff.
@Cal. Agreed about Brady’s mindset. people keep asking him to respond to the rumors. He responded to all the rumors by retiring. Nothing else be said. He’s retired and that’s the end of it. If he unretires, the drama can begin.
Regarding Licht sending some sort of letter. Believe me, common sense should tell you that it already happened and it would be more formal and personable then an email or letter.
February 21st, 2022 at 10:11 pm
One thing that plagued us this year was a consistently inconsistent defense. 49rs have a very good defense, decent run game and Deebo. Brady won the Super Bowl here learning a new team and new offense. He could do it there. Trade him for Jimmy G if he doesn’t want to play here, he’s still better than Gabbert
February 21st, 2022 at 10:23 pm
Florio and every other fake news sports blowhard will never stop beating the Brady-isn’t-retired-he’s-a-49er dummy to death. Uninformed speculation.
Brady “childhood dream” is OLD NEWS, superceded by more recent NO-GO between Brady and Shanahan/Lynch.
But this old news just never dies because these MSM fools love their own storytelling.