Could the New England Patriots implement an offseason plan to lure Tom Brady back?
While both the Patriots and Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended their respective campaigns in disappointing ways, both sides have a lot to think about. The Patriots have questioned an entire offensive line, from players to coaches.
Meanwhile, Brady, who turns 46 next season, will have to carefully consider his next move if football remains his primary focus. Tampa Bay’s dominance has eroded drastically for most of the past two years since Brady’s arrival. And while the greatness of all time isn’t getting any younger, Father Time stays closer in Brady’s rearview mirror.
So what’s next for the NFL’s most successful (251) quarterback?
Well, one suggestion indicated the Patriots could potentially persuade Brady to return to Foxboro next season, according to The Boston Globe’s Chris Gasper. He noted that Patriots offensive coordinator candidate Bill O’Brien, previously interviewed by New England, was being considered by the Buccaneers prior to Brady’s arrival in 2020.
“It seems like Brady is really interested in Bill O’Brien as someone to make things easier for him,” Gasper told 98.5 The Sports Hub on Friday. “…(The Buccaneers) were snooping on Bill O’Brien because they thought it would give him a better chance at Brady. I think these teams think if they get Bill O’Brien maybe they can get Brady too. That it increases their chances.”
The familiarity factor between Brady, O’Brien and the Patriots is certainly there. O’Brien had a five-year career (2007-2011) with the Patriots, where he held various coaching roles. Could a combination of O’Brien and Brady propel the Patriots to their dynasty after two miss-playoff campaigns in three seasons without Super Bowl wins?