Tom Brady In Play With LA Chargers As They Seek A Jolt

Tom Brady isn’t returning to New England and that helps the Los Angeles Chargers’ chances of landing the iconic, and free-agent, quarterback.

When word broke that Brady was exiting New England after winning six Super Bowls, the eeny-meeny-miny-moe of where he could sign went into 5G mode.

The Chargers, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seemed to be the two most-mentioned locals in being linked to Brady. Tampa Bay continues to pull ahead as the frontrunner to get Brady.

The Las Vegas Raiders cashed out when signing Marcus Mariota, late of the Tennessee Titans. The Indianapolis Colts fell for Philip Rivers, the former Charger. The Chicago Bears, then Carolina Panthers, seemed focused on Terry Bridgewater, the ex-Saint.

Other dominos were tumbling after the realization became clear that Brady wouldn’t be part of another New England fall.

Maybe Brady lands in the Chargers’ lap, although there are various reports he will announced he’ll join the Bucs later this week.

The Chargers have been reworking their roster to lay the groundwork to entice Brady to return to his California roots.

LA is busy revamping its mediocre offensive line by trading for Carolina Panthers guard Trai Turner and snagging free-agent guard Bryan Bulaga from the Green Bay Packers.

Left tackle Russell Okung was the bait to acquire Turner, but the Chargers could select Alabama left tackle Jedrick Wills with its first-round pick or explore trading for disgruntled left tackle Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins.

The Chargers retained versatile running back Austin Ekeler with a four-year, $24.5 million contract. It was a deal that likely prevents them from keeping free agent Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon.

The Chargers, seeking a new quarterback after 14 years of Rivers being their starter, could score with Brady off the field, too. LA’s NFL team not name the Rams has struggled to sell tickets and gain traction in the Southern California marketplace.

The addition of Brady, who’ll turn 43 in August and likely wants a two-year, roughly $60 million deal, would give the Chargers an edge on and off the field.

Brady, who threw for 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season, would compromise for the loss of Rivers. The Chargers have the offensive options to recruit Brady by recently putting the franchise tag on tight end Hunter Henry, which cost $10. 7 million for one year.

At wide receiver, Brady has ample targets in Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

If Brady switched coasts after 20 years with the Patriots, he could also boost the Chargers merchandise sales, which have ample room to grow as the team moves into the $5 billion SoFi Stadium next season.

Brady could also burnish the Chargers brand, which accounts for just $105 million of the franchise’s overall value of $2.5 billion, according to Forbes.

Brady, in turn, could explore potential post-career endeavors that might involve the media and entertainment business in LA. The Lakers used that card in their sales pitch to LeBron James.

But is Brady comfortable leaping from an organization known for it success to one that’s lost at least 11 games in three of the past five years?

Before Brady decides his future, he had to sever his New England ties. That done, the Chargers’ odds of acquiring Brady improved a bunch.