NFL Rumors: Tom Brady Expected To Re-Sign With New England In 2020 If Patriots Improve Offense

After spending two decades with the New England Patriots, Tom Brady will consider playing elsewhere in the 2020 season. The quarterback is set to become a free agent on March 18, making him a target of several NFL teams.

Brady probably doesn’t know where he’s going to play yet, and it could be several weeks before he makes a final decision. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers are among the realistic destinations for the six-time champion.

But despite all the rumors and speculation, the most likely scenario is Brady returning to New England.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on “Get Up” Thursday morning that executives around the NFL expect Brady to re-sign with the Patriots. Fowler noted that Brady could be back with New England next season under one condition: the Patriots have to get the quarterback better weapons.

Brady put up mediocre numbers in 2019 with a subpar group of playmakers. The Patriots failed to adequately replace Rob Gronkowski. Julian Edelman was the only wide receiver that consistently could create separation from defenders. Phillip Dorsett and Jakobi Meyers both failed to reach the 400-yard mark as New England’s No.2 and No.3 receivers.

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both had 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Chargers. Austin Ekeler had 92 catches for 993 yards.

Darren Waller was second among all tight ends with 1,145 receiving yards for the Raiders. Running back Josh Jacobs was arguably the league’s best rookie playmaker.

The Chargers and Raiders both had losing seasons. The Patriots were tied for the AFC’s second-best record.

New England had the NFL’s No.1 defense. The Patriots have won 10 consecutive AFC East championships.

Staying in New England would likely give Brady the best chance to win a seventh Super Bowl. The Patriots are reportedly prepared to pay the 42-year-old at least $30 million a year, potentially eliminating an advantage that a team like the Chargers was thought to have in pursuit of Brady.

Brady had an 88.0 passer rating in the regular season with 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Patriots failed to reach the AFC Championship Game for the first time in nine years.