Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Saints and Bears were both among the interested teams in signing QB Tom Brady to a contract this offseason.
Rapoport says both teams had multiple conversations about Brady and both at one point were in the running to sign him.
However, the Saints’ interest was contingent upon Drew Brees retiring from the NFL and while he seriously weighed taking a TV job and eventually agreed to a deal with NBC Sports for once he’s done playing, Brees ultimately decided to return for the 2020 season.
Rapoport explains that Brady made it known that he was interested in playing for the Saints and New Orleans viewed him as a perfect replacement for Brees.
As for the Bears, sources tell Rapoport that they made Brady an offer. Although, Brady apparently wasn’t interested in playing in the cold and ultimately chose between the Chargers and Buccaneers before agreeing to a two-year, $50 million deal with Tampa Bay.
Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington also report that the Saints’ backup plan was to sign Brady had Brees retired.
According to ESPN, the Chargers expressed interest in Brady and the Dolphins made a late run to sign him, but talks never progressed.
Brady, 42, is a former sixth-round pick of the Patriots back in 2000. He was in the final year of his two-year, $41 million contract when he agreed to a two-year extension.
Brady made $23 million for the 2019 season and was testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason when he agreed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $50 million deal with the Buccaneers.
In 2019, Brady appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots and threw for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 34 yards and three touchdowns.
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