These NFL teams need to pivot after Tom Brady falls off their radar

He was expected to be a highly sought-after free agent when the offseason opens in March, even at age 46. But Tom Brady is really done with his playing career, announcing Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL for good.

Not only did that leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needing a quarterback for next season and the future, but other teams needed to make a run on Brady in free agency.

In his 23rd season in the NFL, the Bucs barely made the playoffs and didn’t fare very well against the Dallas Cowboys in the wildcard round. But Brady was still posting big numbers with 4,694 yards on 490 completions leading the league with 25 touchdowns for nine interceptions.

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Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers screams with joy after rushing for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Tampa , in Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

But now it will be remembered as his last season in the NFL, and every team looking to employ him will have to consider his other options.

The Bucs only have Kyle Trask on their roster for next season, so they’ll have to make an effort in free agency or the NFL Draft.

And the other teams? Let’s start with a team that had four quarterbacks under center in 2022…

San Francisco 49ers

There was Trey Lance to start, Jimmy Garoppolo to replace him, Brock Purdy stunning everyone with his level of play, but got injured in the NFC Championship Game which led to journeyman Josh Johnson trying to take relay before suffering a concussion.

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Yes, that’s a lot for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the Niners to deal with, but it got them into the bottom four teams at the end of the day.

But Shanahan is sick of succeeding and not getting that elusive Super Bowl. Brady could have been just the quarterback needed alongside his weapons of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle.

January 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

Turning to the offseason now, Shanahan admitted he doesn’t believe Garoppolo will return after signing a one-year deal to be Lance’s backup. And while Lance is on the roster, so is Purdy who has dazzled and has a shot at starting next season.

That’s if he doesn’t need Tommy John surgery to fix the UCL he tore up against the Philadelphia Eagles. He would be looking for a second opinion to see if there is another option.

In terms of signing someone, the 49ers and general manager John Lynch have about $16.4 million to spend in the cap room.

Las Vegas Raiders

This is a team that would have liked to bring in Brady before he ended up going to the Bucs in 2020, and given that his old friend and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the head coach, it was assumed that a meeting could take place in Sin City.

Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Las Vegas Raiders passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Now McDaniels and the Raiders will be looking to the free agent market to find someone a good fit with Brady and Derek Carr gone.

Las Vegas has yet to figure out Carr’s situation because although they took him off the roster for next season, he still hasn’t been released. They could be looking to make a trade because if they don’t, the Raiders will have $29.25 million in dead space.

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Either way, Jarrett Stidham and Chase Garbers are the only quarterbacks on the roster. But the Raiders have the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and many believe Kentucky’s Will Levis could be the game here. A trade could possibly be in the works for a higher pick, so Bryce Young and CJ Stroud are in play — they’re both expected to be the top five picks.

Having Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow on offense could put the Raiders on the path to another free agent quarterback for immediate success. However, they might see these talents as perfect options for a rookie quarterback to thrive in their freshman year.

Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after a play during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

I know what you’re thinking: what about Tua Tagovailoa? Well, the Dolphins, like the Raiders, would have wanted Brady too. But, with head coach Mike McDaniel coming in and making the most of Tagovailoa (albeit his concussions this season), Miami doesn’t seem to be suffering like other teams for a quarterback right now.

Tagovailoa’s status for next season has been confirmed by his parents, who said he will be there on the first day of camp despite three concussions in 2022. Some believed he should retire to avoid further damage to his brain.

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One of the NFL quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater, played with the Dolphins last season as a backup for Tagovailoa. Given his injury history, he could return.

New England Patriots

The reunion of all reunions has been speculated ever since Brady was going to be a free agent in 2023. Going back to where it all began with Bill Belichick would certainly have been enthralling to watch, but sadly, it’s not in the cards.

Brady has won six of his seven Super Bowl rings at Foxborough, but they have options there, with Mac Jones the top dog right now after being selected 15th overall in the 2021 draft. fullback in his second campaign in 2022, working to a 6-8 record with 14 touchdowns for 11 interceptions. But the Patriots loved that he was able to make the playoffs in his freshman year with a record of 10-7, 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Bailey Zappe, the fourth-round Pats who replaced Jones when he was injured, also performed well in his four games that are expected to result in training camp competition scenarios. He won both starts he had in place of Jones.

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You really never know what Belichick has up his sleeve, and after missing the playoffs, he’ll do whatever it takes to come back. But the Pats already have internal options that will likely stay in place.

Scott Thompson is a sportswriter for Fox News Digital.