There is a rumor that could turn the fire of the NFL offseason into an inferno. According to New England Sports Network's Dale Arnold, there's a chance that Tom Brady won't play for the Buccaneers in 2022.
Arnold was the first person to break Tom Brady's decision to join the Bay. Several fans of the NFL took the message above more seriously.
During a WEEI radio show called Merloni & Fauria, the meaning of the tweet was expanded. One of the hosts claimed that he text Arnold and asked for clarification, but Arnold replied that the Dolphins and the Bucs are both working on a deal, but it is still unclear whether or not a deal will be reached.
The Dolphins sent five draft picks and a first-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for Hill. If Arnold is correct, Brady has interest in the Dolphins. They now have one of the best wide receiver corps in the league, and Hill would be the most explosive receiver Brady has worked with since Randy Moss. Prior to Brady's announcement that he would be returning to the Buccaneers in 2022, Miami was a hot spot for rumors revolving around the seven-time Super Bowl champ. The Brady family bought a house on Indian Creek Island. It would make sense that Brady would want to spend more time near his family, and while Miami and Tampa are not very far from one another, it is still a four-and-a-half hour drive.
Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been appreciated by Bruce Arians. If healthy, Tagovailoa should be the Dolphins starter. Tua's situation was compared to his time with Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger, and Peyton Manning. It's hard to imagine a situation where Tagovailoa isn't part of the Brady trade if the rumors are true. Throw in the fact that one of Tom Brady's best friends, tight end Rob Gronkowski, has not re-signed with the Buccaneers despite Brady coming out of retirement nearly two weeks ago, and you have a spicy rumor with some real teeth.
There are still many holes in this theory. According to a report from The Athletic, Brady is still trying to get free agents to join him. Why would he be doing that if he was going to spend a lot of time in Miami? It would take five first-round picks for any team to acquire Brady in a trade, according to Arians at the start of March. The Dolphins don't have that kind of capital. The team has no first-round picks this year, so it's hard to imagine them trading Brady.
The rumor was shot down by other reporters. There is nothing happening between Tom Brady and the Dolphins according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
Considering what the team has been able to accomplish in Brady's two years with the team and how poor the South will be next season, it seems unlikely that the team would give him up. Even with the losses of multiple starting offensive linemen from last season, the Buccaneers are in a good position to compete in the weakNFC. It makes sense that Brady would prefer Miami if he wanted to leave the area. It is close to family and if Brady still holds any ill will toward his former head coach, it would make sense for him to play for a team in his former team's division.
I don't think these Brady to Miami rumors hold any weight. There are too many angles that don't make sense. It would be the biggest sports story in America, the third one involving Brady this month.
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