The NFL is entering the post-Tom Brady era. Brady’s resignation also impacts the future plans of clubs and players

February 1, 2023 marks the beginning of a new era in the NFL, the post-Tom Brady era.

For 23 years, the now 45-year-old exceptional quarterback influenced, shaped and dominated the league, was its poster boy.

But with his retirement, Brady is also having an impact on the actions of numerous clubs and players.

So in year one after Brady, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a successor, other teams that had hopes of signing him need alternatives.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A retention of Brady appeared done with the Wild Card Round exit. However, Brady named the Bucs as his first option regarding his future. General manager Jason Licht’s athletic administration is likely to have a plan without Brady in place by now. However, he was probably not averse to extending Brady’s expiring contract.

With Kyle Trask – drafted 64th overall in 2021 – a young quarterback is already on the squad, having spent two years learning behind Brady. Whether he is mature and good enough to take over Brady’s legacy, however, remains to be proven.

Blaine Gabbert, mostly Brady’s backup this season, is unlikely to be an option as a starter next season, and his contract is also expiring.

The Buccaneers will go 19th in the draft, and top quarterbacks Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis are likely gone by then. The Bucs would also likely have to trade up for Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Stanford’s Tanner McKee would be an alternative.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Sin City club was hotly traded before Brady decided to retire. For one, there was the connection to head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler from days with the New England Patriots, plus the Raiders have needs at the quarterback position after the expected but not yet official parting of ways with Derek Carr.

Instead of Brady, the Raiders could now target Jimmy Garoppolo, whose contract with the 49ers is expiring and who is available on the free agent market for the new NFL year in March. As with Brady, the Patriots connection is a given.

Given the tight cap situation – despite adding $16 million for the new season – and thanks to the 7th pick, a choice of Young, Stroud, Levis or Richardson in this year’s draft would be the most logical alternative.

San Francisco 49ers

Brady had also been linked to the Californians time and time again. Brady grew up in San Mateo near Candlestick Park, the former home ground, and as a 49ers fan.

To that end, the Californians are in win-now mode with their current roster – all they lack, as the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles showed, is a good, healthy quarterback.

A few hours after Brady’s retirement announcement, the 49ers’ season-ending PK was scheduled, where head coach Kyle Shanahan settled on Trey Lance and Brock Purdy as the quarterbacks.

Miami Dolphins

The Buccaneers’ immediate neighbour has also long been considered a candidate, not just since the Dolphins were stripped of their first-round pick for this year’s draft because of Brady’s unauthorised poaching attempts.

The quarterback situation surrounding concussion-plagued Tua Tagovailoa is likely to remain an issue in Miami during the offseason. While head coach Mike McDaniel has committed to the Hawaiian, Tagovailoa’s long-term future in the NFL continues to raise questions due to multiple head injuries.

Big alternatives via the draft Miami doesn’t have. They can’t pounce on a college talent until the 52nd pick.

Aaron Rodgers

Not only does Brady influence the future of numerous clubs, he also influences other quarterbacks, most notably Aaron Rogers. Will he continue his career? And if so, where? With the Green Bay Packers? Or somewhere else?

Brady’s retirement should encourage Rodgers to move on. The Raiders and a reunion with Davante Adams would now be one more option – though Las Vegas and Green Bay would have to agree on a trade first – that previously seemed out of reach.

The offensive package around Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller and – should the Raders extend him – Josh Jacobs seems tempting, but with a trade draft picks that would have to be invested in the numerous construction sites such as offensive line would move towards Green Bay.

After Kyle Shanahan’s PK statement, the San Francisco 49ers no longer seem to be an option, but the New York Jets and, to a lesser extent, the Dolphins are considered possible candidates. One thing is clear: Rodgers does not have a no-trade clause, as he confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show.

Not only does he now have more options, but looking five years ahead should explain moving on. Should Rodgers finish his career in the same year as Brady, he would also be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in the same year – 2028.

Upon induction, however, Rodgers would then be clearly overshadowed by Brady. As one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in the shadow of the most successful? Certainly not the frame Rodgers deserves and feels is appropriate for him.