MIAMI — Tom Brady started his rise as a Super Bowl GOAT in the "Tuck Rule" playoff game against the Raiders. Now there's a real chance he finishes up his legendary career with the same team.
ESPN's Adam Schefter added fuel to the rumor that started when Brady was seen hanging out with Raiders owner Mark Davis at UFC 246 in Las Vegas. According to Schefter's Sunday report, the Raiders would be interested in signing Brady should the Patriots allow him to become a free agent in March.
Thursday of Super Bowl week, Brady provided initial false hope by tweeting a black-and-white photo of him walking in the tunnel of Gillette Stadium that had nothing to do with his free-agent future." He's anted up, so to speak, with dangling some good vibes with the Silver and Black.
Los Angeles and Miami have been the hot non-New England destinations so far; the Chargers because of location and need and the Dolphins because of some strong Patriots ties. But Vegas is a strong sleeper, ranking a solid third among Brady's non-Patriots fits for 2020 and beyond.
MORE: Brady's best free agent fits — Vegas is on the list
Here are three reasons why the move would make a lot of sense for both Brady and the Raiders:
1. Brady is more the type of quarterback the Raiders need than Derek Carr
By the numbers, including a 100.8 passer rating, Carr was the more efficient and productive passer in 2019. He completed 70.4 percent of passes at 7.9 yards per attempt. Brady rated only 88.0 with only a 60.4 completion percentage at 6.6 yards per attempt.
Yet, Brady's Patriots were 12-4, five games better than Carr's Raiders. Carr benefitted from many things Brady didn't have: a solid offensive line, a strong running game with rookie Josh Jacobs, an elite, athletic, field-stretching tight end in Darren Waller and yes — even with no Antonio Brown — the Raiders' receiving corps was more reliable than what Brady had.
Carr was more of a caretaker than his numbers indicate, and although he can be fiery, he doesn't offer the same leadership or winning punch as Brady. Brady's physical decline has been greatly exaggerated but his intangibles remain his greatest trait. He can give the Raiders a steady emotional and mental lift.
2. Brady is the kind of intense competitor who would mesh with Jon Gruden
We know that the Raiders' head coach appreciates a grinder and is obssessed with detailed-oriented quarterbacks. He's admired Brady from afar in different capacities and given how Gruden likes to push buttons to get the best out of his players, Brady could be more receptive than most. We've seen Brady thrive in a relationship where there's mutual respect, with both coach and QB challenging each other to be better.
Gruden wouldn't need Brady to "knock on wood" to know he was with him. In his potential next coach, Brady needs someone as demanding of excellence as he is. As much as Brady needs to find the right spot to add a seventh ring, Gruden also needs to put full trust into a quarterback who can give him his long-awaited second.
3. Brady has the presence that the Raders could use in Las Vegas
For Brady, rumors of an LA move gained early steam because he and his wife Gisele Bundchen have a home there. Miami would be a chance to compete against New England twice a year.
Vegas combines the best of both worlds. It's a high-profile new team in an international American city, not far from California. The Raiders are an AFC West team that could be better than the Chargers next season, and a team sitting on heavy salary-cap space and multiple first-round draft picks that's much futher ahead in a complete roster rebulid than the Dolphins.
Brady to the Raiders can be the NFL's version of LeBron James to the Lakers, legitimately giving the team a chance for a championship while also adding the necessary glamour and gloss.
Should Brady decide to tuck it and run from New England to Nevada, it would feel less weird — and a lot more fun as a final chapter.
