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TAMPA, Fla. Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that despite reports that quarterback Tom Brady was ready to be named a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins and possibly play for them before retiring to join the Buccaneers again. , he and the seven-time Super Bowl winner have not had any discussions about it, nor have they discussed sealing Brady for the future with a new contract.
“No, we have not had those discussions,” said Licht, who has known Brady since 2002, when Licht was the New England Patriots’ assistant director of staff. “The only discussions I’ve had, we’ve had with Tom, have been that he came back, and we’re excited about this year, and we’re excited about getting started.”
Brady is under contract with the Bucs for one more season, so they would have held on to Brady’s rights if he had held a position with the Dolphins. Coach Bruce Arians, who stepped down last month to take a position in Bucs’ front office, with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles becoming the new head coach, said at the NFL Combine that Bucs would not take on Brady or any other team if he should choose to leave.
“No. Bad business,” Arians said, adding that it would require more than a king’s ransom for a team to snatch Brady away. “Five No. 1. Maybe,” Arians said. Brady has not committed to play after 2022 and would be set to become an unlimited free agent after this season if he chooses to continue playing, which means he would be able to sign with any team at the time.
What does Licht do out of all the talk that not only connects Brady with the dolphins, but reports that Sean Payton was lured out of retirement to join Brady south? “I’m making it out of it – talk like you said. We’re focused on putting our team together here with the draft and we’re all excited, we’re all locked in here – Tom, Todd [Bowles]myself, Byron [Leftwich] – the entire coaching staff – this season. “
Arians’ new role with the team has still not been determined, but he has attended the team’s draft meetings and will be present along with Licht and Bowles in the draft war space.
“The philosophy has not changed,” Licht said. “It’s just been meeting more with Todd more now as head coach – more one-on-one and also in some group formations. Bruce has still been involved. He’s still been in our meetings. I meet with Bruce on a regular basis, and he will be involved here as we also put the finishing touches on our draft. Our philosophy has not changed. We still want to bring in really good players. “
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