BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The NFL Legal Tampering Period is 24 days away, and as we've learned over the past few weeks, "Brady Watch" should start heating up over the next few days.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter went on the Rich Eisen Show earlier this week and explained that the Patriots are not the betting-favorite for where Tom Brady will play football next season anymore.
Schefter told Eisen that he had ESPN colleague Jeff Darlington on his podcast, and Darlington handicapped potential landing spots for the quarterback in the following order: Tennessee, Las Vegas, New England.
Schefter said he was shocked that the Titans were at the top of the list. He knew they would be interested in Brady, but not to this extent—mainly because of the resurgence of Ryan Tannehill last year, who led Tennessee to the AFC Championship Game.
On Schefter's podcast, Darlington broke down the entire QB free agent class, with best potential landing spots for each signal-caller.
Titans player have actually weighed in on the team bringing in Brady, most notably running back Derrick Henry. The 2019 NFL rushing leader appeared on the Barstool Sports Podcast Bussin with the Boys, which is hosted by Tennessee offensive lineman Taylor Lewan among others, and Henry was asked what he thought about the soon-to-be 43 year-old potentially coming to Nashville.
"Brady still can play, obviously, age doesn't matter for him, he's still playing at a high level, but my question would be: Why ain't Ryan good enough, you know?" Henry said. "Speaking for everyone on the offense, we fed off of him . . . Ryan Tannehill is our quarterback and went to the AFC Championship, why would we not want Ryan back?"
Like Brady, Tannehill is set to become a free agent on March 18. The 31-year-old QB won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award for last season, where he posted 22 passing touchdowns to go along with four rushing scores and just six interceptions. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2019 as well.
Also this week, the details of a potential new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NFL Owners and Players has begun to surface. Among the highlights include a 7th team added to each conference's playoffs, which would mean only the number-one seeds would get a first round bye, and a 17th regular season game, with the elimination of a preseason game as well.
So what does this have to do with Brady Watch?
Well, if the two sides fail to reach an agreement before the new league year starts on March 18, teams will not be able to use cap-manipulating maneuvers like adding void years on to a contract extension until a deal is in place.
Remember back in August when Tom Brady signed a three-year extension, but in reality it was only a one-year deal spread out over three years against the cap? The Patriots would not be able to do that kind of contract again, instead having to pay Brady (or any other player they sign) in whatever amount of time the deal is actually signed for.
NBC Sports Boston Patriots' Insider Tom E. Curran breaks it down:
The 32 NFL Owners agreed to the terms proposed on Thursday, with things now being in the players' hands. As of Friday afternoon the NFLPA Executive Committee, which consists of 11 members, voted 6-5 not to recommend the current proposal.
According to Schefter, the players have decided not to vote on the proposed CBA today, hoping to have more discussions next week. The pay scale for the 17th game appears to be one of the key hang-ups.
WIth the NFL Draft Scouting Combine set to take place next week in Indianapolis, things are about to become very hectic in the NFL world, and how this plays out could play a huge role as to where Tom Brady decides to play in 2020.
WBZ NewsRadio's Dan Watkins (@DanWatkinsRadio) reports
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