Rumors: Patriots will target low-cost veteran if Tom Brady leaves
The New England Patriots will reportedly attempt to ink a mid-range, low-cost veteran quarterback in free agency if Tom Brady leaves.
According to WEEI’s Ryan Hannable, the contingency plans for quarterback of the New England Patriots are finally beginning to crystallize.
Of course, the top priority remains re-signing Tom Brady, the only quarterback any Patriots fan under 20 has ever known. Brady’s management has reportedly met with several interested teams this past week at the NFL combine.
While one of those teams was originally rumored to be New England, other reports have suggested that the Patriots and Brady still have yet to communicate regarding a new deal.
Hopefully, the team is just waiting to see what happens with the new CBA. It’s widely known at this point that a vote for ratification amongst the players is expected to happen soon — probably before free agency officially kicks off on March 18.
If indeed the players do vote to approve the deal (as is expected), it dramatically changes the strategy and method in which the Patriots can approach Brady regarding a new contract.
Regardless of what ends up happening with that vote — and with Brady — it appears according to rumors cited by Hannable that the Patriots are making plans for their QB position whether or not Brady returns in 2020. And while many would like to see New England chase a young, talented QB with upside if Brady leaves (hello, Teddy Bridgewater), it appears increasingly unlikely that they would do so.
Rather, a more realistic possibility is the team goes after someone like Case Keenum or Marcus Mariota instead. Both have plenty of starting experience in the NFL, though neither is going to excite the New England fanbase much — if at all. They’ve each had their moments over the years, and they’re certainly capable of running a pro-level offense, but neither one is considered elite.
As a matter of fact, the Patriots might not be looking for elite if Brady leaves. It seems they’d be content with a serviceable veteran who could work as a sort of “bridge” between Brady and Brady’s heir — whoever that may be.
The hope then, according to Hannable, would be that someone new and exciting and young takes over in 2021, having spent a full season (or two if it’s Jarrett Stidham) learning the ropes of the offense while riding the pine in the meantime.
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Another name to watch is Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton. We’ve previously identified Dalton as being just the type of mid-tier, good but not great quarterback option the Pats might try to acquire this spring if Brady leaves. Unlike Mariota or Keenum, though, New England would have to trade with the Bengals to attain Dalton.