Tom Brady is leaving the Patriots. That half of his NFL free agency question has been answered for 2020. The other half — what team he will play for next — remains the biggest storyline of the offseason.
According to multiple reports, the Buccaneers, who aren't that interested in keeping Jameis Winston, and the Chargers, who aren't keeping Philip Rivers, are the strongest suitors.
MORE: Brady rumors tracker: Latest free agency news, updates, projections
Tampa and Los Angeles are separated by 2,500 miles. But not much separates their NFL teams' appeal for Brady, 43, who wants to be best positioned to battle for another Super Bowl.
To help determine what's the better fit for Brady, let's do a Bucs-vs.-Bolts tale of the tape:
Coaching
Anthony Lynn is a well-liked coach who got his team to finish 12-4 just two seasons ago. Bruce Arians led playoff teams in Indianapolis and Arizona and got Tampa Bay to improve to 7-9 in his first year there. Both are offensive-minded with quarterback-friendly concepts. Schematically, Brady fits the Chargers' system better; adjusting to the downfield passing ways of Arians will be a little more challenging. But Brady also adapts well, and Arians has proven he can adjust to different quarterback styles. Advantage: Buccaneers
ReceIving corps
The Chargers have wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, flanked by tight end Hunter Henry, who was franchise-tagged for return. Running back Austin Ekeler is also an exceptional receiver in the James White vein. The Bucs have elite wide receivers MIke Evans and Chris Godwin, and could bring back strong No. 3 Breshad Perriman on top of tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. They also will be in the market for a better pass-catching back. Advantage: Buccaneers
Running game
The Chargers are moving on from Melvin Gordon, but love how effective Ekeler can be. They also have capable backup Justin Jackson and will likely add a little more power in the draft. The Bucs won't be re-signing Peyton Barber, and will need to upgrade to supplement or supplant Ronald Jones. Advantage: Chargers
Offensive line
The Bucs are shaky up front — especially on the edges where right tackle Demar Dotson is a free agent — so they need to land a top offensive tackle in the draft. The Chargers got better inside by trading for Trai Turner, but with Russell Okung on his way out, tackle is a high draft priority for them too. It's close, but the Bucs get the nod for the better overall interior, and at least a viable incumbent left tackle solution in Donovan Smith. Advantage: Buccaneers
MORE: What team will Brady be on? Breaking down NFL rumors
Defense
The Chargers are loaded on every level, starting with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram and ending with Derwin James and Casey Hayward. But don't sleep on the Bucs, who put together a dominant run defense for Todd Bowles last season. They also started getting better against the pass down the stretch, complementing a strong 3-4 edge pass-rush which now has Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul returning. Advantage: Chargers
Organization
The Bucs haven't made the playoffs in 13 years. But they have won a Super Bowl in the Brady era, 18 years ago. Beyond Arians, there's also general manager Jason Licht, a former Patriots personnel director. Chargers owner Dean Spanos doesn't have the best reputation. Advantage: Buccaneers
Conference
The Bucs are in the wide-open-yet-top-heavy NFC, which is ripe to give rise to a new best team in 2020. The Chargers are in the AFC, in the same division as the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Advantage: Buccaneers
MORE: NFL free agency tracker
Location
The Chargers are in Los Angeles, a glitzy destination that's also home to Brady's new Hollywood production company. The Bucs are in Tampa, on Florida's underrated Gulf Coast — and also the host of Super Bowl 55. Advantage: Chargers
Verdict
The Chargers have long been considered the best non-Patriots fit for Brady, but the Buccaneers win this tale of the tape, 5-3. They were a late-developing contender and, as they have pulled no punches in the process, should win the Brady bout by technical knockout.
