13 January 2023 , 13:52
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Legendary quarterback Tom Brady could be about to rock the NFL world and join a new team for his 24th season when he becomes a free agent in a matter of weeks.
After a 40-day retirement stint last year, Brady opted to return to football and re-joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. But although they have made the playoffs, it's been far from a convincing year for the team, with them unlikely to put together a successful run during this post-season, and they are favourites to lose in the first-round.
Brady will be 46 years old next season, with the expectation being that he'll walk away from the game after this campaign. However, he has still shown that he's capable of playing at an elite level, and could have one last final year in 2023 - and potentially with another team.
The San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints have been mooted as perfect landing spots for Brady - teams who boost an impressive offensive line to avoid him taking big hits, whilst being in favourable offensive schemes.
But in recent weeks, the Las Vegas Raiders have become a topic of conversation for signing Brady, where he could rejoin with his long-time offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, who is now head coach of the organisation.
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Brady did nearly sign for the Raiders in 2020, but the team opted to stick with Derek Carr instead, who will now either be traded or released this off-season after losing his place as starter.
Speaking to 888 Sport, former NFL defensive back and current ITV and Sky Sports analyst, Jason Bell, said that Brady could look to join the Raiders before he retires, in an offense that he'll be comfortable in.
He said: "There’s been a lot of speculation around Tom Brady’s future after this season. He’s obviously got a playoff campaign with Tampa Bay first, but I think he might end up at the Raiders. He’s been so successful with Josh McDaniels already and that just might be where he wants to go for one final swansong.
Brady could opt to retire, as he did this past season before u-turning his decision"I don’t think he’ll retire and I can’t see him going back to the Patriots. I know there’s been some speculation about it, but I’m not sure why they would let that happen.
"You’ve got Mac Jones whose life you’ve made super hard by changing the structure of the offense, as well as its coordinator. He has struggled, but it looks like they are getting Bill O’Brien in as the new coordinator, and I think Bill Belichick and the Patriots have got to invest their future in Jones and not go back to Brady.
"Signing Brady might help the team in the short-term, but he isn’t going to be around for much longer and the team will be right back where it started once he retires."
As well as Brady, fellow legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers could also be available, who chose not to give away his jersey from his last game in a hint that it might have been the last time he dons the Green Bay colours.