Be honest with yourself, Patriots fans: Tom Brady’s return as New England’s quarterback in 2024 sounds better in theory than in practice.
Why are we having this conversation? Brady is almost definitely not returning to Foxboro this year, save to assume his proper place in the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Okay, yeah. However, when asked about maybe unretiring during a recent podcast interview, the seven-time Super Bowl champion did not totally dismiss the idea, even mentioning the Patriots by name. Unfortunately, we’re left to speculate.
And that’s exactly what NESN’s Mike Cole and Ricky Doyle did on the newest episode of “The Spread” podcast, speculating on Brady’s return to New England and discussing how he’d fit in with the new-look Patriots.
Doyle (a Patriots fan growing up, mind you) was adamantly opposed to the concept, whether it meant Brady returning behind center or simply joining Jerod Mayo on New England’s coaching staff.
“They won’t win that division with or without Brady. “They’re 22-to-1 to win the division (at FanDuel Sportsbook),” Doyle stated. “Just think of his last year in New England and his last year in Tampa, where the supporting casts just weren’t there.”
The Patriots were 12-4 in 2019 — Brady’s final season in New England — but were eliminated in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs by the Tennessee Titans. Cracks were beginning to appear on New England’s roster. And they’ve only widened in the four years afterward, ending in a 4-13 season in 2023 and the decision this summer to fire Bill Belichick after more than two decades.
Furthermore, the Buccaneers went 8-9 in 2022, Brady’s third and final season in Tampa Bay, owing primarily to the deterioration of their Super Bowl-winning roster. It’s fair to argue that Brady would need a strong squad around him to win at the age of 47, as opposed to earlier in his career when he could carry a franchise to victory. The Patriots are just not a good team right now.
“This team is so devoid of proven talent — across the board, on both sides — that I think it would remain pretty ugly,” Doyle went on to say. “I don’t think he’ll change very much. “He has also not played in two years.”
Brady is the greatest NFL quarterback in history. A legend. The six championship banners he delivered to Gillette Stadium are enough to earn free reign in practically every corner of New England.
However, for the sake of the Patriots’ long-term future, Brady must remain away. Following Belichick’s departure, team owner Robert Kraft must resist the temptation to call up his old pal Tommy.
It is time for a new age, led by Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye, whom New England has picked with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bringing back Brady, even for a year, with Maye waiting in the wings, simply slows the progressive motion.
“That would be a bad move, too, just in general, if you’re the Patriots,” Doyle went on to say. “I don’t care if Brady shows up to One Patriot Place tomorrow and says, ‘Hey, Bobby. I want to get back in there. Enough time has gone. Consider the scenario that would put Drake Maye in.”
“… Sitting behind Jacoby Brissett is much different than sitting behind Tom Brady,” Doyle went on to say. ” … I believe Brady’s competitive attitude means he will not cultivate Maye. He’s going to try to put him out of work.”
And as for Brady’s coaching?
“I think he’d be a terrible coach,” Cole asserted.
Doyle agreed, adding, “Now, Drake Maye is filling Mac Jones’ shoes; not Tom Brady’s shoes.”
That is how it should remain.
