Rocio Robles
The customary press conference of Jason Licht prior to an NFL Draft had a pretty heated topic this time around, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager had to answer a good amount of questions about the past, present and future of his star quarterback: Tom Brady.
Due to recent speculations of a failed negotiation between the Miami Dolphins and Brady to be their quarterback in 2022 and also of Brady’s becoming a minority shareholder in the business if he confirms his retirement, Licht has been inundated with questions regarding his possible knowledge on the subject.
It’s all “chatter,” the executive emphasized before giving a more forceful answer about the negotiations, which, according to several reports, were well underway prior to Brady’s March 13 return to the Buccaneers.
“No, we have not had those discussions on that topic.” said Jason Licht. “The only discussions I’ve had and we’ve had with Tom have been about him coming back and that we’re excited about this year and getting started.”
Jason Licht on Tom Brady and the Dolphins
These reports, combined with those of a probable split from his wife since 2009, model Gisele Bündchen, must be making the historic quarterback’s weekdays difficult, since he will almost certainly have to come out soon to address both situations, particularly his relationship with the Dolphins.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady remains under Tampa Bay’s control for this season and for the 2023 campaign he will become a free agent at age 45.
Jason Licht, Tom Brady and the Miami case
In early April, Tom Florio of Pro Football Talk continued to provide information about the Miami Dolphins’ intention to have Tom Brady and former head coach Sean Payton in the organization.
According to Florio, talks between all parties were well underway for Brady to become their new quarterback (negotiating a trade with Tampa Bay) and minority owner, while Payton would be the team’s head coach following the New Orleans Saints’ approval to negotiate with him.
However, it all came crashing down in the blink of an eye following a civil lawsuit filed by former Miami head coach Brian Flores against the Dolphins on the same day Brady announced his alleged retirement as an active player.
This action by Flores was the main reason why Brady was not announced by the Dolphins a week after the Super Bowl, as talks had been progressing since the middle of last season. Miami was even hopeful that if the quarterback did not return to action, he would agree to a minority ownership position, similar to what Derek Jeter did with the Miami Marlins.
While Payton already looks far away as an option due to his inclusion as a television commentator, Brady’s good relationship with Dolphins management foreshadows a union after he becomes a free agent next season.
