NFL icon Tom Brady may be forced to return to the New England Patriots if Aaron Rodgers sensationally leaves the Green Bay Packers to join the Las Vegas Raiders.
His 8-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are remarkably preparing for a postseason run after they clinched the NFC South title, but questions have lingered over Brady’s future. The seven-time Super Bowl champion is preparing to enter free agency for just the second time in his illustrious career with his Buccaneers contract set to expire after the season.
Speculation has been rife regarding what Brady could do in 2023, with retirement mooted along with finding a new team. The 45-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to the Patriots, the franchise where he won six Super Bowls, as well as move to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brady’s links to the Raiders are not unfounded as his long-time offensive coordinator with the Pats, Josh McDaniels, is the head coach in Las Vegas. However, former Packers wideout Greg Jennings believes Rodgers could usurp Brady by securing the move to Sin City first.
“My reaction was kind of like ‘here we go again’,” Jennings said on Colin Cowherd’s Fox Sports show, The Herd, when asked about Rodgers’ uncertain future. “The Packers are in another situation where they’re going to have another offseason where they’re waiting on the head nod from Aaron Rodgers over whether he is coming back.
“This is something they know they’re going to be up against each and every year if he does decide to come back because of where he is in his career. They ended the year well, as far as winning some games, but in my opinion I don’t know if we do see Aaron Rodgers back.
“I don’t think he retires. I don’t think he’s just going to walk away from the game, and we’ll see if there are some takers on any trades to see if Aaron Rodgers goes elsewhere. I think he ends up back in Green Bay. If not, Las Vegas is a place I’ve mentioned that I think he would entertain.”
Derek Carr’s impending Raiders exit is set to spark a quarterback carousel around the NFL, so Brady - and maybe even Rodgers - will undoubtedly be a big part of that this offseason. The Raiders could be an attractive proposition for either of the superstar duo, given the exciting market and talent on the roster as both men are keen to contend for Super Bowl rings as their respective careers draw to a close.
While Rodgers and the Packers were denied a playoff berth as they lost to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Brady is gearing up to host a postseason clash with his stuttering Buccaneers. Despite his struggles this season, Brady secured his 14th straight playoff appearance as well as the 19th divisional title of his illustrious career.
Brady has remarkably missed the postseason just once in his 21-year career as a starting quarterback. He will hope to extend his stay in this year’s run with a win over the Dallas Cowboys next Monday.
