Tom Brady has been the face of the New England Patriots for nearly two decades, but reports indicate he could be eyeing a move to the West Coast in 2020.
When you think of the New England Patriots, the first person who comes to mind is Tom Brady. The future Hall-of-Famer has won six Super Bowl titles and is well on his way to a seventh this season, but there is a growing possibility that this could be Brady’s final season in Foxboro.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter started the speculation on Monday Night Football a few weeks ago, connecting some dots that could point to Brady planning an exit strategy from New England. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora has followed up on that report with a possible destination: the Los Angeles Chargers.
At first glance, this would appear to be an odd match for Brady, with the Chargers already having a potential Hall-of-Famer under center in franchise icon Philip Rivers, who has given no hint that he is considering retirement. Rivers is set to be a free agent at the end of the year, however, which would open up that door if the Chargers want to take a big swing at an NFL legend.
The Chargers would appeal to Brady because of his California roots, and he also has family still in the area. Brady’s long time trainer, Alex Guerrero, and his throwing specialist Tom House are also based in Southern California, so there is a comfort level already in place if he were to relocate.
La Canfora speculates that the Chargers could also be interesting to Brady for the chance to establish the team as a football powerhouse in Los Angeles, something that hasn’t happened since the Chargers moved from San Diego. The team’s temporary facility, the StubHub Center, is a haven for visiting fans and it has been speculated that the Chargers are having trouble selling tickets for the new stadium they will be sharing with the Rams beginning next season.
Adding Brady, even if it is just a year, would make the Chargers a must-see attraction and allow them to compete for the entertainment dollar in L.A. The NFL would love this scenario to help justify its bad decision to get the Chargers out of a market that loved it in San Diego, and Brady could raise his profile outside of football even more, which could set him up well for other entertainment ventures after he retires.
The speculation should continue to swirl as Brady refuses to give a clear hint about what his plans are, but there is a growing possibility No. 12 won’t be back at One Patriot Place next season.