The Ultimate Tom Brady Draft Hypothetical
April 12th, 2022
This was a subject on the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast and Joe was very pleased that it generated a healthy debate and so many readers responded.
The NFL Draft hypothetical proposed was simple. If you’re general manager Jason Licht and Tom Brady comes to you and says I want to draft this guy in Round 1, and here’s exactly why, then what do you do?
Do you give Brady what he wants in hopes it convinces him to stay in Tampa beyond the 2022 season? Players at the end of Round 1 are busts half the time regardless.
Do you tell Brady that you’ll do everything to draft his guy if he signs a contract for 2023?
Do you politely tell him to kiss your ass?
Bucs fans get the premise.
Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, who began his NFL media career in the 1970s, said he would have to study Brady’s pitch and think about it. But ultimately Ira would honor Brady’s wish because it’s worth keeping Brady happy and it’s likely that The Goat has done his homework.
Joe wants to hear what Bucs fans think on this.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:38 am
hell yes keep tommy happy
April 12th, 2022 at 11:39 am
The goal is to win the next Super Bowl so you do whatever you can to make Brady happy.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:42 am
What Brady wants is invariably best for the team
April 12th, 2022 at 11:44 am
He wants a big O-lineman to block for him. Rather simple I would imagine.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:46 am
Bucs will only be relevant as long as Brady is in uniform. So yes, what Brady wants, Brady gets.
April 12th, 2022 at 11:48 am
I would want Brady to express his vision for the player so it would be clear on the draft pic’s role so all involved would know the plan. (I’m sure Brady would do this). In the end, yes keep Brady happy. He is the reason we are in the conversation for championship…
April 12th, 2022 at 11:48 am
All part of the deal he and the GBoyz made during the meeting while TB was “retired “
April 12th, 2022 at 11:52 am
I would tell Tom, sorry but unless you want to need to score 40 points a game, we are getting a defensive lineman
April 12th, 2022 at 11:57 am
“Hell no, Tom……we brought in AB because of you and he went nuts on us…..we’ll draft who we choose and if you don’t like it, we’ll start Trask and sit your prima donna a$$ on the bench.”
April 12th, 2022 at 11:58 am
This is a terrible hypothetical and is more about appeasing a grown, professional athlete should he make this vague request. Basically by this logic “If Tom wants a player with a 6th round grade in round two, we should do it to keep him happy” is kind of childish and it takes alot of the tangibles that actually go into selecting a draftee off the table.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
I doubt Brady will sign an extension just because you picked his recommendation at pick #27. I don’t even see that as a conversation starter.
I’m sure Brady has a good eye, but then if Brady influenced last year’s draft he seemingly erred on Jaelon Darden.
Licht should welcome the input, an extra set of educated eyes is always a good thing.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Brady understands that he’s a quarterback, not a GM. He does have favorite WR,TE, RBs…but he knows that the staff is better qualified. Only people who ignore Tom “the person” even imagine that he tries to run the team. He constantly works on himself and his teammates and leaves the rest to better informed individuals. That is why he’s so successful.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
For Brady’s personal stats…the best oline player available, next would be (unless Gronk returns)a talented TE. Without just thinking about his stats but overall wins surely he knows how an excellent Dline player would be.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Even Brady doesn’t get the say. Screw him if he doesn’t like the choices. Licht has a responsibility to the team into the future. Brady is obviously leaving after this year no matter what we do.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Olave of course.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
If I was GM, I think I’d consult a few of my players. David, JPP, Jensen, and of course Brady.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Bend the Knee to Tom.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Tommy likey, Tommy want wingy. – Tommy Callahan
April 12th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
With these continuous and persistent reports of Brady wanting to go to the Dolphins just will not go away. Every single day it’s reported in print and TV.
Tom could put all these reports to bed with one tweet. He hasn’t done that has he? So if it’s true and he wanted out then you’re damn right I’d get an agreement that you’d come back in 23 if we picked your guy in the draft. I’m a Bucs fan first and foremost. If he’s here this year because he has to be then I’m not concerned with overriding Bradys choice. of draft pick.
April 12th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Where’s my first post Joe? Something in there offend you?
Lotta patience there. –Joe
April 12th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
Trick question. Brady would never ask that of his GM.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
give him minority ownership, a role as co GM, and future face of the team. For 2 more years playing and lomg term face of team Glazer on Tampa for future and this team will become a Pitt/Dal/49ers type franchise.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
As long as it is an O-line or D-line guy, and they don’t have to move up. sure.
I doubt Brady would push that far, but he is always worth listening to.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
No.
Since there’s no generational talent (Randy Moss or Shaq Barkley) in this group, you draft to build a team that will compete long-term.
Bowles is the new HC. If you draft TB12’s guy, you undermine your coach.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
I’d say “Sure. Just sign this 2-year extension.”
April 12th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
This is really hypothetical. More like fantasy speculation. I just don’t see Tom Brady as that kind of guy.
April 12th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Look at GB all they want to settle for is an MVP but give Rogers everything !!Never heard than kind of rumor in Foxboro !
April 12th, 2022 at 2:11 pm
TB certainly deserves the right to be heard. That being said, before the Bucs submit to his wishes, I am sure they will be thinking longer term than his 1 and done this year.
April 12th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
The Bucs won’t ask him and it’s not his place to demand they draft someone. He would likely never even do that anyway. Your premise is a waste of time.
April 12th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
I agree listen to TB12… I have been a fan forever & I know that no other player can change a culture like him… He knows what he is doing…
April 12th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
Doesn’t matter because everything Brady has said and everything documented over the years say that is not how Brady is. He’s not demanding. Obviously gives input and helps when asked but he doesn’t demand things be his way or the highway. Hell, you can just tell he’s not like that.
Any GM, coach or quarterback who is, I would not want (uh…. A-Arod). It’s got to be a complete team effort. That is why BA is so great, he delegates and gets everyone involved
April 12th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
If that would really happen and he signs on the dotted line…YES by all means. But that is not gonna happen. But as “David says” pointed out “everything Brady has said and everything documented over the years say that is not how Brady is. He’s not demanding.” Plus I think Brady tends to bring in seasoned guys who have played in the NFL. I think the draft is handled by the GM and coaches.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
I’ve had enough of the Brady worship. Let him play QB, work on gameplans with Lefty, and motivate teammates… Great. Leave the front office work to people who are qualified.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
If I’m JL, I see if his choice is on my draft board already. If not, I run it past Bowles. Unless I get the coaching staff to buy in, no way Brady’s pick is drafted. But you have to explain to Brady why not. Keep him in the loop.
April 12th, 2022 at 3:11 pm
If I Gm JL, I would ask Tom if there was any player that he wants us to move up in the 1st round and draft. I honestly do not have any faith in drafting players late in the first or early in the second
April 12th, 2022 at 4:06 pm
If the word is true, the GM asked Tommy last year about Darden. I really don’t think Tom spent a whole lot of time studying Darden apart from the obvious speed as a weapon.
The only way Jason should get Tom involved in making suggestions is if Tom is dialed in on the draft and scouting early. The rest of the draft team has been working on this for months.
But, Tom is the kind of guy that can turn mud into water. He has enough tools, it’s the GMs job to make sure the cupboard is full. This is not the Patriots where they ignored the WR group, where Tom is frustrated that there’s no talent.
April 12th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
I’d want to make Tom happy, but I’d have to agree with his pick to some degree. Need proof as to why…look at the disaster of the LA Lakers season following Lebron’s wishes.
April 12th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Keep the man happy, if he asks for another WR in round 1. Give it to the man.
April 12th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
This is his only time to spend at home.
I doubt he’s wasting time staring at film
Tom knows we need defence.
However, if our favs are gone and a unique talent falls to us.
Well ya never know.
A few good players usually become expendable after the draft.
April 12th, 2022 at 5:01 pm
I think you draft whoever he wants, and offer up your wife to him as well.
April 12th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Bo brainers, TB wants….TB gets.
Next question?
April 12th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
If Tommy whacked BA then of course you have to at this point.
But even if he didn’t, you still have to. Then if all the smoke this offseason were true, we have leverage over him and (hopefully) he’s happy
April 12th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Dah, NO BRAINER, TB wants…TB gets!
April 12th, 2022 at 8:22 pm
You take serious look into his suggestion and do what you think is best. Tom never said he wanted total control, just his ideas used more than never. Licht has used enough of Tom’s ideas that Tom knows Licht would have given it serious consideration and done serious homework on the payer.
April 12th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Darden was his choice and that train still hasn’t left the station so I’d be very wary before listening him
April 13th, 2022 at 12:28 am
I would treat Brady like my wife and do whatever was necessary to keep him happy.
April 13th, 2022 at 11:36 am
Just two words: Lebron James
April 13th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
Keeping Tommy happy = keeping him upright and the wheels of the offense moving forward.
1) Draft a replacement for Alex Cappa (our current guys are stop-gap temps)
2) Get him another WR to pair with Godwin/Evans
April 13th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
agree with Ira
April 14th, 2022 at 4:26 am
I will first say this Brady is an amazing football player and the backbone by far with the Tampa Bay buccaneers organization. However we’ve all seen what happens when professional athletes are allowed to start making decisions that affect an entire roster of a team and what that can mean to a season and end an organization when things don’t work out. Case in point , LeBron James being allowed to make the decisions for the Los Angeles Lakers bringing Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles, and look how good that turned out!! Now I’m not saying Brady would have the same problem making a decision for the bucks but what I am saying is I think players should play for a team, I think coaches should coach a team , and I think the general management and the office guys and the scouts should do their job in recruiting new players and drafting pics along with the coaches how it was always intended to be ! Now that doesn’t mean you don’t get the input of Tom Brady being a seven-time Super Bowl winner and a 10-time Super Bowl attendee and You’re All Star quarterback because that would just be foolish! You do what you got to do to keep Brady happy though, because like someone else said without Tom Brady Tampa Bay won’t really be a contender and in my opinion without grunk the same story goes!
April 14th, 2022 at 9:17 am
It’s not about keeping Brady happy, it’s about winning Championships. If you do that Brady will be happy. GOBUCS!