The Miami Dolphins are committed to Tua Tagovailoa and will reject the opportunity to sign Tom Brady ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers were comprehensively defeated 31-14 by the Dallas Cowboys to end his 23rd NFL season at the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. Brady doffed his cap to the fans and kissed his parents before disappearing down the Raymond James Stadium tunnel, suggesting his time in Florida could be over after three years.
The 45-year-old is rumoured to be considering retirement as he heads into the offseason. He is the most decorated postseason player in NFL history, having won a record seven Super Bowl titles and 35 playoff wins during an illustrious career.
However, Brady will not rush into addressing his future after he famously retired last offseason only to reverse the decision just 40 days later. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has now reported the Dolphins will spurn the chance to sign the iconic signal-caller in favour of sticking with Tagovailoa.
It emerged recently that Brady had rented an apartment in Miami, sparking rumours he could sign with the Dolphins to potentially replace Tagovailoa after the quarterback struggled with concussions in 2022. However, Brady’s children live in the city with Gisele Bundchen, so it was likely a move just to be closer to family.
Schefter also reported Miami have already internally confirmed Tagovailoa will lead the Dolphins in 2023 after they were happy with the progress during the previous campaign under rookie head coach Mike McDaniel. In his third season, the 24-year-old led the NFL in passer rating and starred for the Dolphins.
It is not the first time Brady has been linked with a move to the Dolphins. He was courted by the franchise in 2019, only for the franchise to be found guilty of violating tampering regulations over the then-New England Patriots quarterback and head coach Sean Payton, costing the team a first round pick as well as a $1.5 million fine.
After the Cowboys dismantled the Bucs, there was a palpable sense of finality in Brady’s post-match press conference, but this could be due to his expiring contract in Tampa rather than an impending announcement regarding his retirement. Brady noted how grateful he was for the respect he received throughout his tenure with the franchise, adding: “I just want to say thank you guys for everything this year.”
Speculation has been rife regarding what Brady could do in 2023, with retirement mooted along with finding a new team. The 45-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to the Patriots, the franchise where he won six Super Bowls, as well as move to the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.
In his third season with the Bucs, Brady passed for 4,694 yards - the third-most in the NFL - and 25 touchdowns. He also set NFL records for the most pass attempts (733) and completions (490) in a single season in league history.
