While the NFL offseason is just getting underway, there have already been a ton of rumblings about what the Las Vegas Raiders will do at the quarterback position in 2020 and beyond.
Derek Carr is still under contract after signing a big extension in 2017, but reports have indicated that Las Vegas may be looking to make a change at the position and their prime target is New England Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady.
Brady has played 20 seasons with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowls and being named a Pro Bowler 14 in addition to winning three MVPs. After being eliminated from the playoffs by the Tennessee Titans on Wild Card Weekend this past year though, there has been doubt cast on his future with the organization.
At 42 years of age, Brady may look to go somewhere that gives him a better chance to win more Super Bowls to finish out his career, and the Patriots may look to go with a younger option at quarterback, which has led to the two sides mutually agreeing to allow him to test free agency this offseason.
It appears the Raiders are indeed serious about pursuing Brady as Larry Fitzgerald Sr. is reporting that they are prepared to offer him a two-year, $60 million contract:
I’m told 🏈Las Vegas is prepared to offer @TomBrady $60 million over 2 years.
— Larry Fitzgerald Sr. (@FitzBeatSr) February 14, 2020
Money hasn’t been something that Brady has valued in the past as he has never been the highest-paid quarterback in the league, so it will be interesting to see if this is a contract that entices him to leave the Patriots. If so, the Raiders would likely look to trade Carr to get out of his contract this offseason.
While Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, it is fair to question what the Raiders would be getting considering his age and the season he just came off of.
Brady threw for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 60.8 percent of his passes in 2019. For comparison, Carr threw for 4,054 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing a career-high 70.4 percent of his passes.
With the offensive line and weapons the Raiders will have in place, maybe Brady will be rejuvenated by a change of scenery. Or, maybe Carr is the best option to lead the organization back to glory as they embark on a new journey at Allegiant Stadium.
One thing that is for sure is there’s definitely smoke regarding these Brady rumors. Only time will tell if that smoke leads to fire.
