The offseason is finally here for the Las Vegas Raiders. Although the team doesn’t officially become Sin City’s newest major league sports franchise until the NFL’s 2019 calendar ends in mid-March, the Raiders are no longer an O*kaland franchise. With the move forthcoming, rumors are swirling that the Raiders could be a perfect fit for Hall of Famer, Tom Brady, who is a free agent head into the offseason.
While the idea has been floated before, the Raiders and Gruden seem more-than-likely to stick with franchise quarterback Derek Carr but, according to four Las Vegas bookmakers the Las Vegas Review-Journal spoke to, the Raiders are 7-to-1 favorites to add Brady (Chargers led all teams with 2-to-1 odds). Still, the idea of one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever live throwing on a silver and black No. 12 is, at the least, fun to imagine.
“I’ll explore those opportunities wherever they are,” Brady told Peter King of NBC Sports. “If it’s the Patriots, great. If that doesn’t work, I don’t know. I just don’t know. I love playing football. I still want to play football. I think I still can play at a championship level. I’ve just got to do it. I’m motivated to get back to work and training.”
Other possible suitors for Brady include the Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and — as some have heavily speculated — the Indianapolis Colts.
If Brady were to join the Raiders, this would mean Carr would be moved via trade while GM Mike Mayock and Gruden look to the draft to find their next franchise quarterback beyond Brady. Brady could play both mentor to the rookie draft pick as well as franchise QB in the team’s first season in Las Vegas.
I mean, seems far fetched but so did the prospect of signing Antonio Brown until Mayock shocked the world. While that one didn’t work out, Brady is a leader and an extension of the coaching staff while in the huddle. His leadership for Gruden would mean a great deal of football IQ would be calling the shots.
With the Bears, Brady would join an elite defense much like Peyton Manning did in his final seasons as a pro back in 2012, which culminated with a Super Bowl before the Hall of Fame signal caller called it quits for good. The Colts have a legit need for a franchise quarterback after current starter Jacoby Brissett floundered in 2019 and they have plenty of cap space heading into the new NFL year
While the odds seem slim, stranger things have happened and Gru-yock have been known to make bold moves (see Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper trades). I, personally, expect Carr under center when the Las Vegas Raiders make their first appearance at Allegiant Stadium this fall.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Should the Silver and Black cut ties with Carr and bring in Brady, who has more Super Bowl rings than Carr has on his throwing hand (six). Let us know on Twitter at @SinCitySM.
