Raiders news: Was Vegas a ‘lock to land Brady, franchise tag for JJ28?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders are still looking for a franchise quarterback entering March, but could they have had Tom Brady back in 2020?
When it comes to the 2023 offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders, much of the talk is going to circle around the quarterback position. For the first time since 2014, the Silver and Black have a gaping hole at the position and will look to either add a player in free agency or possibly even trade up for one in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Early on in the offseason, rumors were circulating that the team could be in on Tom Brady, though that ended when he retired abruptly after the season. While it would have been nice to have him in 2023, could the Las Vegas Raiders actually have had him after he left the New England Patriots after the 2019 NFL season?
Tom Brady to the Raiders in 2020?
In an interview with Forbes, star tight end Darren Waller doubled down on the claim that Brady was about to go to the desert after the 2019 campaign. In fact, Waller stated that it was a ‘lock’ that the veteran signal-caller would end up in the Silver and Black, and how different things could have been for the team.
Brady would end up signing with Tampa Bay, leading them to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the team. For the Raiders, they made the playoffs the following season, but have been to the postseason only twice since the 2002 NFL season.
Will Jacobs be disrespected by the Raiders?
One of the more reputable voices in Raider Nation is Moe Moton, who we have had with us here at JustBlogBaby, but does a fantastic job with Bleacher Report. He recently stated that Josh Jacobs could be disappointed with what the Raiders offer him this season, as they may have to place the franchise tag on him.
Moton goes on to explain that the Silver and Black have so many holes on their roster, and they may have to spend a chunk of the salary cap money on the quarterback spot. If that happens, Jacobs will likely be brought back on another prove-it deal.
Of course, Las Vegas does not have to spend big money on the quarterback spot this season if they hope for a stopgap option, like Jacoby Brissett. However, there are rumblings about possibly Jimmy Garoppolo, or even a trade for Aaron Rodgers, which would significantly impact the salary cap.