The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to be one of the teams in play for Tom Brady if the megastar quarterback chooses to explore free agency next year - and they could have dropped the first hint that they're preparing for his arrival.
Brady will become a free agent at the end of the season when his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expires. The 45-year-old is not expected to announce a second retirement in two years, and is instead likely to move teams.
A return to the New England Patriots had been touted, due to Brady's relationship with team owner Robert Kraft. However, it now seems the Raiders could be leading the way.
On Wednesday, the Raiders confirmed they'd benched quarterback Derek Carr, with backup Jarrett Stidham called up as his replacement for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Josh McDaniels then added further fuel to the fire, saying: "There’s a lot to be sorted through once the season is over," when asked about the team's quarterback situation.
To make matters worse for Carr, he was listed as inactive for this Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Chase Garbers, the team's third-string QB, will be given the role of backup.
Brady himself has flirted with the Raiders in the past, most notably just last week when he discussed the team's game against the New England Patriots.
Fans were quick to notice the fact the Patriots legend didn't reference his former side when mentioning he had watched the game, instead saying: "I was watching the Raider game yesterday and saw the final play," before discussing the final few plays.
Brady and McDaniels were a formidable duo at the Patriots when the latter was the team's offensive coordinator. His time as a head coach hasn't gone to plan, however, with the Raiders 6-9 after a disastrous season.
