Pros and cons behind Tom Brady’s most likely destinations

Let’s assess the biggest pros and cons behind the five teams most likely to have Tom Brady under center for them in 2020.

Buckle up, New England — it’s going to be a wild ride these next two-and-a-half weeks.

Free agency is typically not a great time to be a Patriots fan over the past two decades. One of the few downsides to winning so many titles and being the most successful team in the NFL is that after every season is complete, all the other teams come to poach your roster.

It’s particularly true after winning the Super Bowl, but it also happens even in “down” years like 2019. Already, suitors are lining up for prospects like Phillip Dorsett, Kyle Van Noy, Joe Thuney, and others.

Of course, the biggest prize of all amongst Patriots players who could be free agents come March 18 is the one who wears the No. 12 on the back of his jersey.

While it still seems surreal just to write this down, Tom Brady is headed towards being a free agent for the first time in his 20+ year NFL career. The six-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Super Bowl MVP, and three-time league MVP has indicated that he plans to explore the open market for his services — and that he has absolutely no intention whatsoever of retiring.

Brady — who will turn 43 before this new season begins — is certainly in uncharted territory. No quarterback at his age has remained a full-time starter in the pros before.

Some analysts and observers think he’s in decline, while others defend his subpar campaign last season by pointing to the injuries and ineffectiveness on offense around him.

Wherever the truth lies, we do know one thing: he will be back under center in 2020. The only question is: where?

Let’s take a look at the five most likely landing spots for Brady this March and assess the pros and cons for each of them, starting with the least likely of the five to sign Brady to a new deal and finishing with the front-runner.

Rumored destinations we’re not buying into: New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins

Honorable mentions we’re buying but not enough: Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts