2020 TB12: The Decision 2020

How Would You Feel if Brady Left?

  • Completely devastated

    Votes: 24 13.0%
  • Very disappointed but still got BB

    Votes: 84 45.4%
  • Hold my beer until we know our next QB

    Votes: 29 15.7%
  • Eh, this may turn out to be a plus

    Votes: 32 17.3%
  • Let the Stidham era begin!

    Votes: 16 8.6%

  • Total voters
    185
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Number45forever

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He'll be back and his numbers will improve. I can't see how he could have a less skilled and less consistent group of skill guys than he's had in 2019. I expect they'll add a WR, a TE or two, and then Sanu and Harry will be year two in the system. Better times ahead for TB12.
 

heavyde050

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He'll be back and his numbers will improve. I can't see how he could have a less skilled and less consistent group of skill guys than he's had in 2019. I expect they'll add a WR, a TE or two, and then Sanu and Harry will be year two in the system. Better times ahead for TB12.
Pretty much mirrors my thoughts. I think he is back for one more run in 2020, and I can't imagine the offense being this inconsistent again.
 

BaseballJones

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For all those people thinking/wishing/hoping that the Pats will suddenly be bad, I've got terrible news for you. They will be right back here next year. TB will be back for one more ride. The OL will be better. They'll add a couple of weapons. Harry will improve considerably. The defense will get younger and faster. Harris will be an improvement at RB over Michel. They'll win 11-12 games against a very tough schedule and be very battle tested going into the playoffs.
 

ifmanis5

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Back for one more without Josh and has similar to slightly better year.
I don't feel like he's a Jeter-type who announces ahead of time for the year long thank your tour. I would guess he's more of a post a note on Insta out of nowhere type but who knows.
 

m0ckduck

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Pretty much mirrors my thoughts. I think he is back for one more run in 2020, and I can't imagine the offense being this inconsistent again.
This is staring to feel like the best possible outcome for everyone’s collective sanity: Tom announces one last year, team loads up for a final run, everyone knows where things stand, clarity abounds.

Of course, the reality will probably find Brady pitching for the San Diego Padres and Fitzmagic as our QB or something equally unfathomable.
 

NortheasternPJ

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One big factor is the Pats have $13.5m in dead cap money next year if they don't extend him before the end of the NFL Calendar. If the Pats extend him, they can spread that cap hit out over 2-3 years. If not and he hits FA, then they re-sign Brady they'll have a $13.5m cap hit. So signing him for $25m / year once free agency starts is a $38.5m cap hit as I understand it for year 1. If he gets $30m a year, then $43,5m in cap hit for next year, it's just not going to happen. If he goes to FA, I think he's gone.
 

CoffeeNerdness

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A majority of this season reminds me of what it used to be like to watch that annual game down in Miami or in Denver where the opposing D got in his face and drubbed him relentlessly leading to inaccuracy, poor decision making and some of his worst games in the Patriot uniform, except this year it's played out over a majority of the season. I don't agree with the sky is falling game thread posts about this being the end of TB as a good/great QB. I think the poor offensive line play has lead to a season of yips. Eventually that units poor play lead to his getting injured, which subsequently has lead to his late season accuracy issues. The poor line play has also made it so much more difficult to integrate the new guys because the offense can barely if ever get into a rhythm that sustains over multiple drives let alone a full game. I don't think McDaniels has been all that great this year either.

Given a revamped line that actually plays well, a TE that's even league average, and more reliable play from the WR position I can absolutely see 2020 being a bounce back year. Look at how well Drew Brees has bounced back from last year. One of the main markers for Brees and his return to being a top flight QB? Much improved play on the OL.
 

Garshaparra

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I think he's headed for one of those Favre-on-the-Jets years, with occasional flashes of brilliance, but a failure in the end. Where? DEN has the pedigree. TB has the receivers. LAC has the West Coast.

We're also about to have a glut of aging and/or busted starters on the market simultaneously via FA or release: Rivers, Winston, Dalton, Tannehill/Mariota, Brees/Bridgewater, Fitzgerald/Rosen, Flacco, even good ol' Eli hasn't ruled out 2020. Can any of these guys win you a Super Bowl? Beyond Brees, no, I don't think so, but 2020 is going to be QB Roulette for sure, and I think Brady will be among those on the move.
 

DaveRoberts'Shoes

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I can't believe he would limp off into the sunset like this, and I also can't believe he would want to go to any team that would want him and could pay him what he thinks he is worth. I don't see him coming back to a new system, environment, surrounding cast, etc, for one year on a team that almost definitely wouldn't be as good as the Patriots
 

JimD

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I voted 'Goes elsewhere, has a better year', because I think all the little signs Tom has been sending out the past few years signal that he is ready to move on from NE and Bill. He will be 'better' because he'll pick a spot with better weapons and/or OL - whether that adds up to more success and a legitimate run at another ring remains to be seen, of course.
 

NortheasternPJ

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I voted 'Goes elsewhere, has a better year', because I think all the little signs Tom has been sending out the past few years signal that he is ready to move on from NE and Bill. He will be 'better' because he'll pick a spot with better weapons and/or OL - whether that adds up to more success and a legitimate run at another ring remains to be seen, of course.
What are your thoughts on Tom & Bill on the NFL Top 100 Show?
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I voted 'Goes elsewhere, has a better year', because I think all the little signs Tom has been sending out the past few years signal that he is ready to move on from NE and Bill. He will be 'better' because he'll pick a spot with better weapons and/or OL - whether that adds up to more success and a legitimate run at another ring remains to be seen, of course.
What "little signs" are you talking about?
 

Super Nomario

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One big factor is the Pats have $13.5m in dead cap money next year if they don't extend him before the end of the NFL Calendar. If the Pats extend him, they can spread that cap hit out over 2-3 years. If not and he hits FA, then they re-sign Brady they'll have a $13.5m cap hit. So signing him for $25m / year once free agency starts is a $38.5m cap hit as I understand it for year 1. If he gets $30m a year, then $43,5m in cap hit for next year, it's just not going to happen. If he goes to FA, I think he's gone.
That money has already been paid. If they do a new deal, it can be spread over two years; if not, it will all hit next year. But there's no way to spread that $13.5 MM beyond 2021.
 

Joe D Reid

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"Has PRP injection in elbow; subsequent outcomes depend on results" wasn't on the list, but that's my guess. That elbow is pliable as heck right now and it's an issue.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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What do you all think the $$ will look like (and the corresponding cap hit for 2020) if Brady remains with the Pats? Will it be too much to actually improve the team elsewhere? Or will it create enough space so that they can afford to add pieces?
 

NortheasternPJ

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That money has already been paid. If they do a new deal, it can be spread over two years; if not, it will all hit next year. But there's no way to spread that $13.5 MM beyond 2021.

Good stuff. I didn't realize they couldn't spread it over the length of the deal. I still think if he hits FA he's gone.
 

Super Nomario

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Good stuff. I didn't realize they couldn't spread it over the length of the deal. I still think if he hits FA he's gone.
Yeah, once the contracts hits the void date, all that $13.5 MM hits the 2020 cap. So the team has every incentive to get a deal done prior to the contract voiding. If they can't by then, it's probably not happening.
 

E5 Yaz

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I think he's headed elsewhere. And I hadn't thought of this option until Gashaparra mentioned it, but Tampa Bay would be intriguing. Veteran coach, improving defense, receivers in place. I don't think the West Coast is a big a pull as people want to believe, unless it were the Niners ... which ain't happening.
 

Marciano490

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He seems pretty family oriented to me. I can’t imagine him transplanting everyone to a random city like TB so he can play one more year.

He’s also probably much more valuable to the Patriots than any other team. Who’s going to throw huge money at him after this year, and why would he agree to be like the 10th highest paid QB for anyone else?
 

Euclis20

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I think he comes back, but is the same or worse. His one reliable target all year, Edelman, will be 34. As poor as the injury luck was for the offense this year, it has been a minor miracle that Brady's one reliable target has played the full 16 for just the 3rd time in 11 years (I know he's been banged up, but his numbers are as good as ever). I can't see that happening again next year, and this is ignoring any further decline from Brady personally. It's more realistic to hope for the running game to get back on track than it is to hope that the passing game improves, IMO.
 

RIFan

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Nobody should ever say a negative word about Brady, but I'm guessing there will be a very loud minority of "fans" running him out of town if he lays an egg in the playoffs. It's going to be ugly and I'm not sure how thick skinned he will be when the crap starts flying. As much as I would hate it, I can see Brady opening up the new Las Vegas stadium wearing silver and black.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I think he will be back one more year.

But then I think he will go somewhere else. I think he intends to play until he is 45 and I don't think anything that has happened this year makes it so that he has changed his mind. I don't think Bill is going to be along for the ride until Brady is 45 but I do think that they will go for one more year.
 

Al Zarilla

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Nobody should ever say a negative word about Brady, but I'm guessing there will be a very loud minority of "fans" running him out of town if he lays an egg in the playoffs. It's going to be ugly and I'm not sure how thick skinned he will be when the crap starts flying. As much as I would hate it, I can see Brady opening up the new Las Vegas stadium wearing silver and black.
So, the Raiders kick Derek Carr to the curb?
 

bankshot1

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I can't see the 43-YO GOAT move and have to adjust to a new city, new coach, new system, new teamates, new fans with insane expectations. It sounds like a prescription for a bad ending.

Kraft gives him a decent 1 year deal, and the Pats get 1 year older, (they got some pretty empty shelves with a lot of past due use before dates). Even with TB-43 next year will be rough with younger hungrier Bills, Jets, Miami. The upside is maybe the Pats get a decent draft choice to find TB-43's successor.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Nobody should ever say a negative word about Brady, but I'm guessing there will be a very loud minority of "fans" running him out of town if he lays an egg in the playoffs. It's going to be ugly and I'm not sure how thick skinned he will be when the crap starts flying. As much as I would hate it, I can see Brady opening up the new Las Vegas stadium wearing silver and black.
The sportsradio cheerleaders will easily influence a good percentage of "fans" to follow their lead in shitting on Tom and the team
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Brady will surprise everyone by going to the Jets and putting up his best season in ages. He will lead the Jets to their first Superbowl victory since 1968 despite an openly contentious relationship with Gase.

He will wear number 10 and Sean Berry and luckiestman will each have an order for their jerseys on the day Brady signs his contract. Darnold will be traded to Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Pats will lose the WC weekend when Jameis Winston throws for five TDs and six picks. Edelman will lead all Patriots in tackles.
 

bankshot1

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Brady will surprise everyone by going to the Jets and putting up his best season in ages. He will lead the Jets to their first Superbowl victory since 1968 despite an openly contentious relationship with Gase.

He will wear number 10 and Sean Berry and luckiestman will each have an order for their jerseys on the day Brady signs his contract. Darnold will be traded to Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Pats will lose the WC weekend when Jameis Winston throws for five TDs and six picks. Edelman will lead all Patriots in tackles.
TB12 will make wearing "12" a requirement for signing with the J-E-T-S, and force them to unretire the #. Then when lifting the SB55 trophy will flirt shamelessly with a obviously smitten and ready, Suzy Kolber.
 

Harry Hooper

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Brady's request for no franchise tag is all about getting more than a 1-year deal. I don't see him signing a 1-year deal with the Patriots or any other team.

If Tom really wants to play 3 more seasons, he's likely playing for a new team next year. If 2 more seasons is the goal, he can probably work something out with the Pats.
 
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Preacher

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I think he will be back one more year.

But then I think he will go somewhere else. I think he intends to play until he is 45 and I don't think anything that has happened this year makes it so that he has changed his mind. I don't think Bill is going to be along for the ride until Brady is 45 but I do think that they will go for one more year.
I think that’s the biggest problem. Brady is still playing relatively well (acknowledging that he had pretty inferior offensive weapons overall this year) but he’s trending downward overall. I think Kraft wouldn’t necessarily care to tank a season or two just so Brady can go out with the Pats. But I don’t think BB has that patience and is probably looking at his own window closing on the near horizon. At some point, I would imagine he’d rather take his chances with Stidham or another draft pick and spread the savings to other positions. I think Brady is back next year but I don’t think we see TB44/45 in a Patriots uniform.
 

Seels

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Burrow absolutely not. Tua probably not though it depends on a lot from here.
 

YTF

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An issue I haven't seen discussed here is how agreeable might Brady be in helping to groom his eventual replacement. IF the Pats are able to find a guy that they think would be next in line, what part if any will Brady play in his development? I'm not suggesting TB sit the bench while this guy plays, but I think it's a real concern should Brady want to finish his career here. Should something happen to Brady at this stage of his career, "next man up" could become a permanent situation. IMO playing behind the GOAT should be a plus rather than something that stifles growth.
 

54thMA

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Brady will surprise everyone by going to the Jets and putting up his best season in ages. He will lead the Jets to their first Superbowl victory since 1968 despite an openly contentious relationship with Gase.

He will wear number 10 and Sean Berry and luckiestman will each have an order for their jerseys on the day Brady signs his contract. Darnold will be traded to Chicago.

Meanwhile, the Pats will lose the WC weekend when Jameis Winston throws for five TDs and six picks. Edelman will lead all Patriots in tackles.
You left out that ballbag "Carlton from Norwell", he has to have a role in this too.
 

RIFan

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So, the Raiders kick Derek Carr to the curb?
According to Sportrac, they have $70M in 2020 cap space and Carr will only count for $5M in dead. I think Gruden will throw Carr over in a heartbeat if Brady will sign. I can’t see Brady going anywhere that can’t pay him, isn’t close enough to winning, and isn’t in a city that is conducive to Giselle. Outside of NE, I don’t think there is another team that fits the bill that doesn’t already have a lot tied up in a young quarterback.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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I think it makes the most sense for all involved to ride again for one more year, but I don't think Brady makes it to 45 anyway. I think he winds up regretting not going out on top unless they really invest in the O-line and start making sure that every receiver's gloves are coated with Stick 'Em before every game. The defense, despite their disappointing showing yesterday, should be good enough to be formidable again next year if they can lock up a few guys and bolster the ranks with good drafting. Maybe if this year doesn't end with them hoisting the Lombardi, it's the fuel he needs to go out and win one more next year and then ride off to go fuck his supermodel wife and try to catch up to Rivers's record for kids.

I could see him going elsewhere after next season for one more year but it just doesn't seem like any team would be really that interested in him at that point with another year's crop of college QBs out and the same veterans out there now only another year older but still younger and quicker than Brady. He would only want to play to win and I don't see that option happening in 2021 with his limited choices. But next year should be the devil he knows; he loved Joe Montana but I'm sure even he didn't love the final season his idol played and is conscious of that as his career approaches the clearing at the end of the path.
 

McBride11

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I voted similar year, but if Andrews comes back, would vote better year.

If he wins SB7 then I'd vote retirement. I know he wants age 45 - but going out on top makes some sense. Then again if the O gels enough to win #7, he would probably say lets fire it up again!, and I would support that.

I cannot see him going elsewhere. The housing crap and contract stuff seems really overblown. TB is too media savvy to languish 1-2 years in Chi or SD or wherever. His legacy (and his company) is in Foxboro.
 

nattysez

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I wonder if he and Josh McD would be a package deal. That would let him avoid the "new system" issues while also getting reinvigorated by playing in a new environment. And if they go together, wouldn't Dallas be the obvious choice? It lets Jerry go for it before he gets even more decrepit, lets Jerry get one over on Kraft, and fixes the Dak issue by eliminating it.

The big wrinkle would be uprooting the kids, but I'm sure there are a variety of solutions to that for someone as rich as he is.

The NYG could be an option, but they are a ways from contention. But maybe they bring Caserio with them and argue that the three of them can create a contender in the NFC East in one year.

I think there is a real chance he is tired of BB, pissed about the weapons he was given this year, and is ready to do something different for a couple of years before hanging them up.
 

Ed Hillel

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I think he’s gone because I don’t think BB wants him back unless it’s at a big discount. Maybe a compromise is Brady takes a cut and gets to specifically pick who they spend the savings on, or at least a position to do so (WR/TE), but I’m not sure BB would let that happen or Tom would even broach it. But if Tom wasn’t getting an extension last year, why the heck would he get one now?
 

axx

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Brady's request for no franchise tag is all about getting more than a 1-year deal. I don't see him signing a 1-year deal with the Patriots or any other team.
Brady's request for no tag is to make it obvious to other teams he's serious about leaving. It's like Vinetari.
 

JimD

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What "little signs" are you talking about?
The missed OTA's two years in a row for starters, which loom even larger as he's struggled to get in synch with the team's newer receivers.
 
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gryoung

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There haven’t been many star athletes who have been able to choose the way they go out. This is from the Boston perspective. Ortiz is one. Gronkowski is another.

Bird, Orr, Nomar, Lynn, Esposito. They all left town and retired elsewhere or were injured and retired on the heels of seasons well below their normal production.

Brady deserves to go out holding a SB trophy as a member of the Pats. I fear this will not happen and he’ll leave the game on terms other than his own.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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I voted 'Goes elsewhere, has a better year', because I think all the little signs Tom has been sending out the past few years signal that he is ready to move on from NE and Bill. He will be 'better' because he'll pick a spot with better weapons and/or OL - whether that adds up to more success and a legitimate run at another ring remains to be seen.


The missed OTA's two years in a row for starters, which loom even larger as he's struggled to get in synch with the team;s newer receivers.
You think missing OTAs two years in a row are a sign that he wants to be elsewhere? If he's struggling to get in sync with his receivers, and missing OTAs were a reason why, and he's frustrated by not getting in sync with them, isn't that, uh, Brady's fault? And this is an indication that he's leaving?

You said that's "for starters". What other signals has he sent that he's interested in leaving?
 

genoasalami

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I doubt it will happen, but he’d immediately have the best weapons of his career to throw to in Tampa Bay. If Winston took care of the ball, they’d be a playoff team this year. It’s no better than 50/50 that Winston comes back.
 

JimD

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You think missing OTAs two years in a row are a sign that he wants to be elsewhere? If he's struggling to get in sync with his receivers, and missing OTAs were a reason why, and he's frustrated by not getting in sync with them, isn't that, uh, Brady's fault? And this is an indication that he's leaving?
It could be read as a sign of rebellion against Belichick. He seemed to think OTA's were pretty important in 2013.

You said that's "for starters". What other signals has he sent that he's interested in leaving?
Selling the mansion. “I plead the Fifth” and his comments about everyone wanting to be appreciated.
 

JimD

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he loved Joe Montana but I'm sure even he didn't love the final season his idol played and is conscious of that as his career approaches the clearing at the end of the path.
Tom could also see this as an opportunity to further cement his greatness by doing what Montana could not and succeed with another team. Great athletes like him don't look at situations and worry about how they might fail - they're not wired like that.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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It could be read as a sign of rebellion against Belichick. He seemed to think OTA's were pretty important in 2013.



Selling the mansion. “I plead the Fifth” and his comments about everyone wanting to be appreciated.
Eh..... ok.

I have a hard time seeing those as indications of him wanting to leave. I see the fact that he keeps signing contracts with the Patriots, keeps lauding Bill Belichick, and on the NFL 100 show, he and BB seemed to have outstanding rapport together; didn't look at ALL like a guy interested in NOT playing for BB.
 
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