Dana White Says He Had 'Deal' for Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski to Join Raiders in 2020

The former Las Vegas Raiders head coach didn't like the idea of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski wearing the Silver and Black.

UFC President Dana White said on Saturday that he had a deal in place for Brady and Gronkowski to join the Raiders in 2020, but that he didn't get the job done.

I am the one. It was almost a done deal for Brady and Gronk to join the Raiders. All hell broke loose when Gruden said that he didn't want him at the last moment. Brady was already looking at houses and it wasn't being said yet that Gronk was going to come. The year the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, Las Vegas would have had Brady and Gronk.

When asked by White if he confirmed the story, Gronkowski said yes.

You just told the story and that is what happened. I'm happy that it didn't go through.

It's not a surprise that White contacted Brady. The UFC boss called the seven-time Super Bowl champion and asked him to join the Raiders.

Las Vegas would love to have you as a player. The facility is amazing. Outside of Vegas, they have a training facility that is amazing. It takes 45 minutes to fly from L.A. to L.A. We would love for you to join us at the Raiders. I have been talking to you for a month. Brother, come on. It's time to go to Vegas.

Brady said at the time that he was looking for a new team for the first time in his career after 20 years with the New England Pats. White's story seems to indicate that he was prepared to play for the Raiders.

There is only one question as to why the kibosh was placed on such a deal. Adding Brady and Gronkowski to the offensive unit would have made the Raiders one of the best in the league.

Las Vegas had an 8-8 record in 2020 and missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The Raiders didn't make the playoffs for the third year in a row. From 1999 to 2001 he was the coach.

Brady and Gronkowski, along with the rest of the team, led the team to an 11-5 record and a second place finish in the division. The Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Kansas City Chiefs were bulldozed by them.

It's one of the biggest what-ifs in football history.