Former Patriots Linebacker Claims Bill Belichick Wants Tom Brady to Sign With Buccaneers and Fail
By Brady Williams
As NFL free agency looms, the most interesting story is still the potential departure of Tom Brady from the New England Patriots. One of the top teams pursuing the six-time Super Bowl winner is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, the Bucs might be exactly where Bill Belichick wants Brady to go. Why?
Speaking with NBC Sports Boston, Johnson claimed he believes Belichick would be fine with that outcome because Brady would be unsuccessful with the floundering franchise.
Would Bill Belichick and the Patriots be fine with Tom Brady signing with the Buccaneers because they expect him to fail there? Ted Johnson thinks they just may... ? pic.twitter.com/c1CwaItWxR
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) March 12, 2020
"They’re not going to be successful," Johnson said. "It’s just an inherently bad franchise. Tom going there is not going to all of a sudden turn around their fortunes.”
He went on to say it may even be "personal." While rumors swirl around what each side wants, Johnson, who played alongside Tom Brady under Belichick, seems to be fanning the flames with his suggestion that Belichick wants to win on his own.
The Buccaneers are going “all in” to sign Tom Brady, with head coach Bruce Arians leading the way, per @NFLSTROUD.
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 11, 2020
Tampa Bay has $80M in cap space ? pic.twitter.com/1cwX1ORcXI
Regardless of Belichick's feelings on the matter, the Buccaneers are reportedly fully committed to signing Brady. Head coach Bruce Arians has long been touted as a "quarterback whisperer," and with $80 million in cap space, he might just get his best player yet.