Report: Bucs, Brady agree to deal worth up to $30M per year
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finalized a deal with Tom Brady that will see the star quarterback earn up to $30 million per year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Los Angeles Chargers were a late candidate to sign Brady, but his camp led them to believe he'd choose a team in the east due to family considerations, NFL Network's Jim Trotter reported.
Tampa Bay selected quarterback Jameis Winston first overall in the 2015 draft, but he's never led the Buccaneers to the playoffs. Per 16 games, Winston's averaged 4,386 yards and 27 touchdowns against 20 interceptions over the course of his career. He's also set to hit free agency this offseason.
The Buccaneers will be able to offer Brady one of the NFL's best wide receiver duos. Mike Evans topped 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season in 2019, while Chris Godwin led the team in receptions (86), yards (1,333), and touchdowns (nine).
Brady will join head coach Bruce Arians, who's previously found success with future Hall of Fame signal-callers. He was the quarterbacks coach of the Indianapolis Colts in Peyton Manning's first three seasons and was offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2007-11) with Ben Roethlisberger under center.
Arians was also the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals when Carson Palmer led the team to the NFC Championship Game late in his career.
The 42-year-old Brady, who spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, has been named Super Bowl MVP four times. He's also earned three regular-season MVP awards and 14 Pro Bowl berths.
Brady's amassed 74,571 yards and 541 touchdowns over his career. He announced earlier Tuesday that he'd leave New England in free agency.