What if scenario: Miami Dolphins have to replace Tagovailoa in ’23
![Dec 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on from the field during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Dec 25, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on from the field during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19679585-850x560-57713996fef8f8f577e7280b646a0b18b77c0e53bfba7270f6b5b7eee7bcf4bb.jpg)
Tom Brady – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady to the Dolphins would be interesting for several reasons. This match almost happened last offseason and was one of the points of investigation that led to Ross’ suspension and the Dolphins’ loss of their first-round pick. That led to Brady going back to Tampa Bay after initially retiring, which many speculate is the reason for his eventual split with wife and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.
Brady will be 46 at the start of next season, and even though the seven-time Super Bowl champion has made himself a legend for his continued defiance of Father Time, his play has slipped this season and he has finally begun to show his age. Despite having solid counting stats — 4,178 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and 66 percent completion percentage — the Buccaneers are 7-8 and desperately clinging to first place in the NFC South. It’s become a cliché to never doubt Brady, and he has even shown that this season with some two-minute drives to steal games, but the cracks are starting to show.
The key here is that, unlike Rodgers, Brady is a free agent after the season. The Dolphins wouldn’t need to spend any draft capital to get him, and his contract would likely be very team-friendly, but would the Dolphins want to bring Brady in? Would it be worth it to bring in a quarterback that is this close to the end of the line? If this were to happen, it would likely be a one-year Band-Aid before making another move once the Dolphins have more draft equity.