The Los Angeles Chargers must be willing to pay whatever it takes to land Tom Brady as their next quarterback. The cost doesn’t matter, go get your guy.
The Los Angeles Chargers need to find a way to become interesting. Fast.
Though they have a talented roster, it’s not translating into having a fanbase. Their move from San Diego a few years ago hasn’t panned out up to this point. After two years of playing in the L.A. Galaxy’s soccer stadium in Carson, the Bolts will be the second tenant to Stan Kroenke’s Los Angeles Rams at brand-new So-Fi Stadium in Inglewood.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Rams have won the NFC West twice and made it all the way to Super Bowl LIII. L.A. hadn’t been an NFL town for decades, but the Rams are starting to find their footing in the City of Angels. As for the Chargers, they’re arguably the seventh-most popular NFL team in Los Angeles. They are in need of a Hollywood makeover stat.
By moving off longtime starting quarterback Philip Rivers this winter, this leaves the position open. Sure, the Chargers could use their No. 6 overall selection in the upcoming draft on Oregon’s Justin Herbert or Utah State’s Jordan Love, but they’re not ready to be NFL starters yet.
What the Chargers should do is pay out the wazoo for pending free agent Tom Brady.
Brady not only makes the Chargers a better football team right away, but he puts butts in the seats. Los Angeles is a distracted sports town. Angelenos may not have any attached to the Chargers whatsoever, but they’ll come to Inglewood to watch Brady play quarterback. He’s a legend in the twilight of his illustrious career. Signing him would be a smart financial decision.
Brady has spent his entire 20-year NFL career with the New England Patriots. He is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. While it would be cool to see him never wear another uniform, Brady wants to play until he’s 45 years old. It seems increasingly likely the Patriots will want to get younger at the position, possibly as soon as 2020. This is where the Chargers step in.
Adding Brady to the Bolts makes them a playoff contender right away in 2020. One could argue the Chargers have a more talented roster than the Patriots entering next season. Though they’re not getting the Brady of old, he’s veteran-savvy enough to help Los Angeles contend in the AFC West and perhaps a Super Bowl if everything goes right for them.
Unfortunately, the Chargers are one of the most snake-bitten organizations in the NFL. Though not as cheap as the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s not like the Spanos Family is willing to hand over heaping sums of cash to just anyone. They did nickel-and-dime Joey Bosa coming out of Ohio State a few years back.
Instead of being frugal, they need to pay Brady more than anybody else.