Tom Brady was nearly a member of the Las Vegas Raiders when he first entered free agency in 2020. Rumors began to swirl, prior to his ultimate retirement, that he would be looking at Las Vegas in free agency.
The Raiders were reported to be gearing up to go all-in on signing Brady during the offseason. According to Raiders tight end Darren Waller, the deal was going to happen:
“I’ve heard it from multiple sources that I respect and I’ve been close to. They’re like, ‘Yeah, Brady to the Raiders was a lock.'"
Brady and Rob Gronkowski were allegedly almost Raiders back in 2020 before the seven-time Super Bowl winner signed with Tampa Bay (and Gronkowski unretired to follow him), but the Raiders were in the running.
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Unfortunately, that now leaves the Raiders without an option for 2023. Waller also discussed who would be the Raiders’ 2023 quarterback with Brady retired and Derek Carr officially a free agent via Forbes:
“I have no idea. I have no input. So I’m waiting to see what happens just like everyone else. Anybody who’s ever played football would be on board with Aaron Rodgers coming to the team. If he comes to the team, I will not be disappointed.”
Every team that is arguably just a quarterback away has been linked to Aaron Rodgers, who faces two likely options for next season. Either he retires (which he's deciding whether or not is his plan) or he's playing for a new team.
By all accounts, Rodgers is not returning to Green Bay, so perhaps he could join Waller and his former teammate Davante Adams in Las Vegas.
Will Tom Brady stay retired?
This is not the first time Tom Brady has retired. In the last offseason, the legendary quarterback hung up his cleats for about a month before coming back. Might he do the same this time?
He specified when he announced his retirement this year that it was "for good" so it's unlikely. However, he doesn't join FOX's broadcasting booth until 2024, so there are rumors that he might consider a return. That remains unlikely, though.
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