Top 7 Spots for Tom Brady were he to leave the Pats

Tom Brady, leave New England?!  Yep.  There’s a lot going on we don’t know about, but here’s something we do know: He’s not entirely happy.  He has saved the team millions of dollars over the years.  He took a pay cut so they could afford Wes Welker one year, and then once Welker wasn’t re-signed Brady was left to wonder where that money then went.  He also hasn’t really been given weapons in 2019, and he is sorely missing Gronk.  Also, his owner is in the midst of a scandal.  If I was a betting man, I’d bet he retires a Patriot and only plays for one team in his career.  However, I also would’ve bet Peyton Manning retires a Colt back in 2010.  So, what if Tom Brady wanted to leave and prove he could win without Bill Belichick?  I mean, that competitive desire in him may make him want to do that.  There are seven possible teams he could go to if he were to leave the Patriots.  Why 7?  It's an odd number, but I really think there are about 7 teams, give or take.


7. Dallas Cowboys
Colin Cowherd talked about possibilities for Brady and his pick is the Dallas Cowboys.  Yes, they have good talent and may end up replacing their coach, but they are only #7 for me for two reasons.  One, Brady grew up a 49er fan and therefore grew up hating the Cowboys.  He's not a huge fan of the organization.  Two, they have Dak Prescott, who Jerry Jones likes.  Sure, his contract is expiring soon, but they'd be foolish to go from a younger Dak to Brady.  But I guess they're a distant possibility.  

6. San Francisco 49ers
I know, they have Jimmy G, but what if he got hurt again?  Or perhaps Brady wants to win a ring as a backup/mentor.  The biggest problem with this is that the 49ers can’t afford to pay two quarterbacks that much money.  But Brady grew up a Niners fan, so if he had his choice of NFC teams, this would be it.

5. Tennessee Titans
First off, Brady would get to play for his former teammate Mike Vrabel.  Tennessee does have a decent roster and their QB position isn't completely solidified.  It's kind of a smaller market, which works against them.  But the talent is there and with a legit, proven winner at quarterback, they may be able to take the next step.  I consider the Titans the dark horses in the Brady sweepstakes, if there ever is any.

4. Denver Broncos
Could Elway persuade another legend to join him?  It’s possible.  If Manning can win a Super Bowl there, Brady surely can.  Broncos fans have loathed Brady for years, so this would be hard for them to accept, which is why the Broncos are only #4.  Also, they have Drew Lock, who would probably be traded if this happened.

3. New York Giants
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right?  Brady has failed twice to beat the Giants in the Super Bowl, so why not join them?  But like the Broncos fans, New York football fans have grown up hating Brady, so this would also be hard for them to accept.  But that’s mostly Jets fans who hate Brady.  Giants fans are happy they’ve been able to beat him twice.  Also, Daniel Jones would be traded just like Drew Lock if this were to happen.

2. Chicago Bears
I have a feeling Brady would love to play under Matt Nagy.  Chicago is one of the biggest metropolises in America, and their team has a rich history.  Just playing in Chicago for a couple years would make people consider Brady as one of the best Bears quarterbacks ever.  It also would be funny that Jimmy Garoppolo is playing for Brady’s hometown team while Brady plays for Jimmy Garoppolo’s hometown team.  Trubisky could either be traded or be forced to serve as Brady's backup, but would he be all right with that?  Hard to say.

1. Los Angeles Chargers
California?  Check.  Good roster?  Check.  Big market?  Check.  Brady’s best fit is with the Chargers.  He could replace Rivers whose best days are behind him.  It’s funny Brady could replace Rivers who came into the league AFTER Brady.  The Chargers are struggling to gain fans in the LA Market, and getting Brady would immensely help that cause.  Brady in LA in the new stadium?  Hard to beat that.  The only problem with this I see is the Chargers might not have enough of a history or fan base to woo Brady over.  But he would know that by signing with the Chargers, it would re-energize the team and bring in a lot of new fans.
Edit: Following the Seahawks-Eagles Wild Card game, Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels discussed Tom Brady and his future.  Michaels prodded Collinsworth and goaded him into picking a team Collinsworth could see Brady going to.  His answer?  The LA Chargers.  Now, he said he has no insider information, but if a well-respected analyst is saying the same team as me, we might be on to something.  

Hard to see Brady going anywhere else (that’s if he does leave the Patriots).  You can rule out the AFC East and any teams that have entrenched starters for the next several years at least.  He’s got a great relationship with Josh McDaniels, so if McDaniels gets a head coaching job somewhere, that team instantly becomes the best possible landing spot for Brady.  The only team here that is probably replacing its coach soon is the New York Giants, with the Cowboys as an outside possibility.

Edit: Just for fun, here's why all the other teams would not even be considered:
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, division rival
Miami Dolphins: Division rival, bad roster
New York Jets: Sam Darnold, division rival
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals: Small market, bad roster
Cleveland Browns: Bad history
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, AFC Rival
Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson
Indianapolis Colts: AFC Rival, small market
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bad team, small market
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders: Derek Carr, grew up 49ers fan so naturally dislikes Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz
Washington Redskins: Dysfunction, bad roster
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, bad history
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins, wouldn't want to copy Brett Favre
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, recently beat in Super Bowl
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, small market, not enough history
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bad history, Jameis Winston
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, recently beat them in Super Bowl
Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson, beat in Super Bowl XLIX

My Solution to the NFL's Overtime Rule

Ever since the vaulted Chiefs offense of 2018/19 did not get an opportunity to take the field in overtime of the 2019 AFC Championship game, NFL fans (mostly Chiefs) have clamored for a change to the NFL overtime rules.  They want both teams to have an opportunity to possess the ball.  And I have to admit, I agree.  If two teams meet, and each team has a great offense and sub-par defense, the coin flip really does determine who wins the game.  I know it's been 7 months since that AFC Championship game, but I have just thought of a solution to fix overtime in the NFL.  I want to add that I have modified my original overtime proposal which allowed games to extend beyond two possessions.  This does not (unless it is a playoff game).

Here is my solution: Each team gets one opportunity to possess the ball on offense.  The only exception being if the defense scores on the first possession.  If the first team to possess the ball scores, the opposing team will get one shot to tie or beat them.  After those two possessions, the game is over.  If the game is tied after two scoring possessions, the game becomes a tie (unless it's a playoff game).  If the first team to possess the ball gets a TD and goes for two and succeeds, that means the best the opposing team can do is tie the game.  If it was a playoff game, they'd have to get a touchdown and two point conversion to keep the game going.  I must add that in this version of overtime, there is no game clock, just like in college.  Just possessions and a play clock.

Confused at all?  I wouldn't blame you if you were.  Here are some hypotheticals (and we'll use the Patriots and Chiefs to make it easy).  And we are using regular season overtime rules (unless otherwise specified).

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and kick a field goal.  The Chiefs then kick a field goal.  The game would then be a tie.  In the playoffs, the Patriots would get the ball back, now with the game in sudden death mode.

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the ensuing PAT.  The Chiefs get the ball themselves and score a touchdown as well.  They kick the PAT as well.  This would result in a tie.  The Chiefs could go for two points, and if they successfully get it, they win the game.  If they fail to get it, they lose.  Talk about drama.

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the two point conversion.  The Chiefs would then get an opportunity to match.  If they don't, the game obviously ends with a Patriots victory.  If they do, the game ends in a tie.  In the playoffs, they would continue to play now under sudden death (next score wins).

- The Patriots get the ball first and either punt or turn the ball over.  The Chiefs get the ball.  Any score wins it for them.  If they fail to score at least a field goal (because with the offense on the field, they can't score a safety), the game ends in a tie.  In the playoffs, the game would continue until someone scores.

I hope that clarifies things.  This way, both teams get a chance to possess the football, and the game always ends after two possessions, unless it's the playoffs.  The interesting scenario this creates is for the second team to possess the ball.  Do they go for the tie or the win?  I'd say 90%+ of the time you go for the win; one exception being if a loss knocks you out of the playoffs, but a tie or win and you're in the playoffs.

Here are the pros and cons of this format.

PROS:
- Both teams get a chance to go for the win if they so choose, unless the first team gets a TD and 2 point conversion.  If the first team does get both, then the second team loses the ability to go for the win.
- Would make for exciting and dramatic football as we could see a lot of "Do or Die" plays
- Would make for a lot of interesting and tough coaching decisions (Go for 2?  Go for it on 4th?  Kick or receive?)
- It's about as fair as OT can be to whoever wins the toss, and I could see some teams wanting the ball first while others want it second

CONS:
- Can be a tad confusing
- There could be an increase in the number of ties since any teams that do the same in the overtime period would count as a tie.
- This could increase the amount of time players have to play in overtime if they're always forced to play at least two possessions.

To counter those three cons I listed, for the first one, I came up with a simplified way of explaining these rules and it is this: Each team gets one possession.  Whoever does better wins.  If they do the same, they tie.  That's it. Once people get used to these rules, they become very easy to explain.

Secondly, it's hard to really say if the number of ties would increase.  If just one team scores, the chance that there will be a tie dramatically drops, because the second team to possess the ball more than likely won't go for a tie.  And with defenses that have been on the field for a half hour each (on average) already, it means offenses playing against gassed defenses and more than likely, one of the offensive units would get at least a field goal.  Also, you would not see many teams "going for a tie", such as kicking a field goal when the other team kicked a field goal, because a head coach would instantly and forever be harshly criticized for not having the courage to go for the win.

Thirdly, this could indeed increase on average the amount of time overtime periods go.  Right now, overtime can end on one possession.  It still could now (if there's a defensive score), but most often we'd see two possessions.  My argument is that I think players would be willing to play a bit more for a better chance to win the game.  Think back to the AFC Championship game this past season.  I'd guarantee each of those Chiefs offensive players, from QB Patrick Mahomes to the offensive linemen, they all wanted to go back out there.  They all wanted one more shot.  There are only 16 games a season plus a maximum of 4 playoff games for one team.  Each game is critical, and everyone on the team would love a shot to go out and win a game that goes to overtime.  Let's give them that shot.

All Possible Super Bowl Matchups, Their Storylines and Likelihood

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Highly... highly doubtful this would happen.  There has never been a Super Bowl with two #6 seeds, although there has been a Super Bowl with two wild card teams.  Not many storylines in this one... it would certainly be a hard-fought, defensive struggle with perhaps some aerial attacks from the gunslinger QB's. 

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Again highly unlikely as these two teams basically limped into the playoffs.  But they are two well-coached teams and it would be the second time John Harbaugh has faced an NFC West team in the Super Bowl.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Two historically unfortunate franchises facing off (One would get their first Super Bowl win).  Also it would be the battle of the kitties.  Would be another hard-fought game, but this wouldn't be a Super Bowl that intriguing.  Not very likely, either.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
How many times would we hear Steve Smith Sr.'s name mentioned in the talk before the game?  Answer: A LOT.  He would probably want this Super Bowl, but not many people do.  Would be another defensive game.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Another matchup where a team would get their first Super Bowl win.  Highly unlikely matchup with the two QB's (Dalton, winless in playoff games, and Lindley, who is a practice squad guy on most teams).

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Jim Caldwell, the current coach of the Lions and former coach of the Colts, would be the main storyline here.  Also, two Texas-raised QB's (Luck and Stafford) would be facing off.  Not too likely, but not impossible for this matchup.  If a matchup is going to happen where the seeds of the two teams add up to at least ten, this would be the matchup that would happen.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Defense vs. Offense?  Hard to say what the storylines would be for this game.  Dallas would be heavily favored, for sure. 

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Another battle of the kitties which you certainly shouldn't bet on.  These two teams tied in the regular season... might we see overtime in the Super Bowl for the first time if this were to happen?  Also, two minority coaches facing off (First since Lovie Smith's Bears against Tony Dungy's Colts).  Wouldn't be a Super Bowl that NBC is clamoring for, that's for sure.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
How many times would Bruce Arians' name be mentioned?  A LOT.  This would be a fantastic Super Bowl to watch with the Bruce Arians storyline (provided Arizona got Stanton back and he was playing decently).  Could Arizona's D contain Andrew Luck?

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (6) Detroit Lions
These two teams are pretty close geographically.  Also, the Steelers 2nd to most recent Super Bowl victory came in the Lions stadium.  Other than that, not too many storylines. 

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Would be a very good matchup, but not many storylines.  Almost all of America would be rooting for the Packers, more than likely.  And the Ravens would be huge underdogs.

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Not many storylines here, either.  Dallas would be heavily favored, having taken out Green Bay (and probably Seattle, both on the road) to get to this point. 

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Two number one pick QB's (Luck and Newton) face off in a chance to reward their team for picking them number 1 overall with a Super Bowl title.  And two soft-spoken coaches who get a lot of respect from their players would face off.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII, EXACTLY six years later (Feb. 1, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2015).  A few of the same players remain, namely Big Ben for the Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals.  And with the Steelers trying to take a Super Bowl from the Cardinals on the Cardinals' turf, this would be a very good matchup. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Would likely be a high-scoring game.  What prevails, a horse or lion?  Could Matthew Stafford be the third rising QB to beat Manning in a Super Bowl?  (The first two being Brees and Wilson)  Also, Golden Tate would be facing the Broncos in the Super Bowl for the 2nd straight year.

(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Not too many storylines here, other than Pete Carroll vs. the other Harbaugh brother.  Justin Forsett would be facing his former team.  Both running backs would be from the University of California.  Would be a hard-fought, low-scoring game. 

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Titletown vs. No Titles in this town.  Basically.  Green Bay would be heavily favored and heavily rooted for.  There was a regular season game in 2013 between these two teams which was back and forth and high scoring, which I'd expect this game to be as well.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
These two teams just recently played and Dallas smoked them.  Indy would be seeking revenge.  This would be a good matchup for NBC, with two gunslingers airing it out.  It would be up to the defenses to make a big play or two. 

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
Don't see this matchup happening (at all) but it would be a fun game to watch.  Two big QB's against two tough defenses.  Two minority coaches facing off in this game as well.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Peyton Manning taking on another NFC West team with a tough defense.  Depending on Arizona's offense, Denver could be heavily favored.  Not likely with Arizona limping in to the playoffs.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (6) Detroit Lions
Not too many storylines.  It would be Tom Brady in University of Phoenix Stadium against a wild card team from the NFC... again.  Could Stafford pull an Eli Manning and beat Tom Brady?

(5) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Very few storylines in this matchup that NBC would probably want to stay away from.  The Hawks would be heavily favored, more than likely.  It would be the 2nd time the Hawks (as a #1 seed) face an AFC North Team (that is a wild card) in the Super Bowl. 

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
The story would be the quarterbacks, of course.  Two quarterbacks with potent offenses with defenses that usually do just enough to get wins.  Would most likely be a high-scoring and entertaining game.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
OH MAN.  This rivalry would be renewed with a Super Bowl matchup.  This would be a dream matchup for NBC.  Many are dreaming of this potential matchup.  The history behind these two franchises would be the main storyline.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be the John Fox Bowl, the Denver coach having previously coached Carolina.  However, I don't see this matchup with Denver happening, either, but anything's possible.  Peyton Manning would be facing another athletic African American quarterback who comes with a strong running game and a solid defense.  Would Manning lose again?

(1) New England Patriots vs. (5) Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brady would need to shake his Arizona demons... against Arizona.  Arizona would probably be underdogs in their own stadium.  Bruce Arians would be a coaching god if he won this matchup.

(4) Indianapolis Colts vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
I predicted this matchup at the start of the season, and I'm sticking to it (sort of).  It's a real possibility.  It would be the matchup of the QB's from the 2012 draft class, Luck vs. Wilson (1st overall vs. 75th overall).  Would be a good matchup and the Seahawks SHOULD be favored.

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
This is another dream matchup for NBC, a rematch of Super Bowl XLV.  Many of the same players remain from those teams, including the starting quarterbacks.  The first time they faced off was in an environmentally-controlled arena, and this time would be the same thing. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
This is another matchup that NBC would like.  This is a "rematch" of Super Bowl XII, 37 years later.  This game would be very high-scoring (41-38?) and more than likely be close.  Their regular season game in 2013 would be one many would hope this game would be similar to.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (4) Carolina Panthers
This would be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVIII, with basically only Tom Brady remaining from either of those two teams.  The Patriots would be heavily favored, but the Panthers would give them a fight. 

(3) Pittsburgh Steelers vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Oh boy.  Rematch of Super Bowl XL.  This is a game I would definitely want to see, just so the Hawks could get revenge.  The Hawks are scheduled to host the Steelers next season, so a Super Bowl re-rematch would take place the following season.  Let's just hope for this game Bill Leavy would not be officiating. 

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Rematch of Super Bowl XXXII.  I have dreamed of this Super Bowl matchup again for a long time, because Super Bowl XXXII was the first Super Bowl I ever watched.  These two teams playing against each other look so visually appealing, with red and orange vs. yellow and green.  Another dream matchup for NBC.  If the Hawks can't be in the Super Bowl, THIS is the matchup I would want.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Another game for the ages.  Dallas would have a TON of supporters, being much geographically closer to Arizona than New England.  Hard to say who would be favored.  This would be an exciting and close game, for sure.

(2) Denver Broncos vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
Rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII, less than a year later.  Obviously, the Broncos would be seeking revenge.  A Super Bowl rematch hasn't happened the following season since Dallas and Buffalo in 1993 and 1994.  Dallas won both of those games (the first easily, the second sort of easily) and I think the same would happen here.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (2) Green Bay Packers
Another dream matchup.  They played in the regular season in Green Bay, with the Packers coming out victorious.  New England would be seeking revenge and without Lambeau to protect the Packers, New England would have a real shot (and probably be favored).  Rematch of Super Bowl XXXI.

(1) New England Patriots vs. (1) Seattle Seahawks
This is the matchup many Hawks fans think will happen, are rooting for, or both.  It would be the 2nd straight year the two #1 seeds face each other.  This isn't technically a dream matchup for NBC, but it would be a classic.  I do think the Patriots would put up more of a fight than the Broncos last season, but I see the Hawks coming out on top. 


So there's all the possible Super Bowl matchups.  Which will happen?  We'll find out by the end of January 18, when the conference championship games conclude.  Should be fun to watch.