We’ve been tracking Tom Brady news, developments, and rumors since the day the Patriots lost to the Titans in the wild-card game in January.
Now, the biggest one of all: Brady announced Tuesday that he is leaving the Patriots, and he’s settled on a destination: Tampa Bay. Really.
Here’s how the saga unfolded:
Friday
▪ Tom Brady announces on Instagram that he’s joining the Buccaneers.
Thursday
▪ Reports come out that Tom Brady is nearing a deal with the Buccaneers, but the language of the contract is still being worked out.
Wednesday
▪ The new league year begins at 4 p.m. Players are free to sign with teams, but teams cannot announce the signings.
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Tuesday
▪ After a WEEI reporter posted on social media that a deal was done for Brady to head to the Buccaneers, a reporter in Tampa Bay refuted the notion.
“Could very well end up happening, and could even be announced Wednesday. But right now, any reports that it’s done are premature.”
Just to update: Tom Brady and Bucs is not a done deal yet. Could very well end up happening, and could even be announced Wednesday. But right now, any reports that it's done are premature, I'm told. Just stay tuned.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 17, 2020
▪ Multiple reports are saying that the Buccaneers are interested in Brady, and spoke with him on Monday, but that no deal is in place.
Bucs' GM Jason Licht acknowledged there is interest in free-agent QB Tom Brady, the two sides spoke Monday, but there has been no conversation today and there is no deal in place. "We're waiting to see what Tom decides just like everybody else," Licht said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
▪ NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Buccaneers and Chargers have both offered Brady at least $30 million per season.
▪ Brady posts at 8:45 a.m. on Twitter. His announcement? He’ll be taking his football journey elsewhere.
Monday, March 16 | 1 day until March 17
▪ Rapoport says that three teams will inquire about Brady: The Patriots, of course, plus the Chargers and Buccaneers.
The tampering window has opened and #Patriots QB Tom Brady’s agent can hear from teams. My understanding: The #Chargers and #Bucs will inquire, and of course New England wants him back. That is Brady’s market as of right now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
▪ BetOnline’s latest odds have the Buccaneers down as the favorites to sign Brady.
BREAKING
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) March 16, 2020
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now the betting favorite to sign Tom Brady.
Odds (via BetOnline):
Buccaneers -150
Patriots +110
Chargers +600
49ers +1000
Raiders +1200
Colts +1800
Bears +5000
Cowboys +5000
Dolphins +5000
Sunday, March 15 | 2 days until March 17
By signing Ryan Tannehill to a four-year, $118 million extension, the Titans essentially bow out of the Brady race.
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There are two options for Brady — the Patriots and the Buccaneers — Chris Simms reports. Simms says he expects Brady to return to New England.
According to Simms, the 49ers are “out” on Brady. Simms had called the 49ers Brady’s “No. 1 choice.” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer later corroborates Simms, confirming that San Francisco is moving forward with Jimmy Garoppolo.
Wednesday, March 11 | 6 days until March 17
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers want Brady. Like, pretty bad.
Rick Stroud lays out all the details in his Wednesday column. Essentially, it doesn’t seem like the Bucs owners and Bruce Arians will let Brady’s free agency window go by without taking a swing.
▪ Robby Anderson would love a chance to play with Brady, he says.
▪ Jon Gruden is sick of getting questions about Brady.
The Titans are bowing out of the Brady sweepstakes, instead deciding to focus on locking down Ryan Tannehill.
Tuesday, March 10 | 7 days until March 17
NFL insider John Clayton tells a 49ers podcast that he thinks San Francisco will pursue Brady, but not try to get him.
“The problem is the cap problem that’s going to be created,” Clayton said. “You know it’s not a big deal in terms of Jimmy Garoppolo because again you’re only getting $4.2 million of a cap hit. But also it now shrinks down the amount of money available for the George Kittles and some of the re-signings and all that stuff. I think what it does is it just shortens the window by a year or so.”
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Monday, March 9 | 8 days until March 17
▪ Brady makes an important announcement about his future – just not the one that everyone is waiting for.
The Patriots QB announces the launch of 199 Productions, his new multiplatform production company. Yes, the name is an homage to where he was chosen in the 2000 NFL draft.
The first project for the new company? A documentary about football.
▪ Could Brady and Gisele Bundchen be done house shopping?
Rumors are swirling that the couple reportedly purchased a mansion in Greenwich, Conn., in November. While rumors swirled about the property in January, prompting fans to wonder why Brady would sell his Brookline home and move out of state.
Speaking of that Brookline home: You can now take a virtual tour of the Chestnut Hill property, on the market for a cool $33.9 million.
▪ A.J. Brown is interested in seeing Ryan Tannehill return to the Titans. If not him, he has another target.
Sunday, March 8 | 9 days until March 17
Charlie Weis jumped on Sirius XM and revealed he has been speaking with Brady about his former player’s impending free agency, and the message was ominous: “Nobody knows anything.”
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Here’s what Weis said:
“I do have one bit of scoop for us. I’ve been texting with Tommy,” said Weis, who served as Brady’s offensive coordinator in New England from 2000-04. “I don’t (usually) pass along these conversations, but one thing he told me, ‘Nobody knows anything. So anyone who is telling you they know, they don’t know.’ I’m not going through any other part of the conversation (but) I followed up and he said, ‘Clean it up.’ So I’m cleaning it up.”
Saturday, March 7 | 10 days until March 17
Julian Edelman is going to great lengths to ensure Tom Brady stays with the Patriots.
First, it was his “Stay! Tom 2020” T-shirts that called for “a quarterback you can trust" that went viral.
Now, he’s apparently handing them out to people who can help his message get heard: Celtics players.
Friday, March 6 | 11 days until March 17
Earlier this week ESPN reported that Tom Brady remains in “consistent contact” with Antonio Brown and according to one of Brown’s attorneys, Brady told Brown to keep himself in shape so they can possibly reunite.
Brady only added attention to that rumor on Friday. He quote tweeted a tweet from Brown that read “Anger and ego kicked my ass for about 6 months I forgot about hard work and grace has success took a shot yet!” with a heart emoji.
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— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 6, 2020
In other Brady news on Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on “Get Up” that the Titans believe they have a good chance to get Brady.
“I just spoke with sources on this. I was told the Titans believe they have a pretty good chance in a head-to-head matchup with the Patriots to land Tom Brady,” Fowler said.
That wasn’t the only thing Fowler reported. He also added that there’s a mystery team in the mix for Brady’s services.
“I’m also told that there’s a mystery team — a third team — that’s firmly in the mix, all right? So cue the music,” Fowler said.
"I was told the Titans believe that they have a pretty good chance in a head-to-head match-up with the Patriots to land Tom Brady."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 6, 2020
—@JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/OjQfvVZxKt
Wednesday, March 4 | 13 days
The Boston Herald and NBC Sports Boston have weighed in on an interesting possibility: Could Tom Brady end up on the 49ers? And Jimmy Garoppolo on the Patriots? It’s not out of the question.
And then, news trickles out that Brady and Bill Belichick spoke on Tuesday night, and it didn’t go well.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter refuted the notion that the call was detrimental to the situation.
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have spoken recently, but those talks were not yesterday and the tone of their discussion was “business as usual”, per source. Still many questions left to answer.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2020
Saturday, Feb. 29 | 17 days
While the football world waits for Tom Brady to make his decision, at least we know what he’s up to: watching college basketball.
Brady, Julian Edelman and “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon were seated courtside at a Syracuse-North Carolina game on Saturday afternoon.
Friday, Feb. 28 | 18 days until March 17
Dan Shaughnessy makes the argument for why it’s best to just let Tom Brady go.
"I want Tom to go because his history-making time has run its course here. I like sports drama, and it would be a much better story if Tom goes to a new team. I’d like to see what Bill Belichick can do without Brady. I’d like to see what Brady can do for the Los Angeles/Tampa Bay/Tennessee Bradys.
I don’t want to bear witness to another AFC-East winning, oh-so-boring 10-6 Patriots season with 43-year-old Tom staggering through games, pouting through his postgame media sessions, then delivering cryptic messages on social media."
Thursday, Feb. 27 | 19 days until March 17
With the NFL in the news thanks to CBA negotiations and the grind of the Combine, it’s no wonder why ESPN chose to anchor its Thursday morning programming with some Tom Brady speculation.
One reporter, Jeff Darlington, said on “Get Up” that he’s heard from “people close to Tom Brady who are being told by Tom Brady, ‘Look ... it’s not going to happen, I’m going somewhere else.’"
Darlington capped off his second-hand information and speculation by saying he’d personally be surprised if Brady returned to New England.
“I’m now at the point where I would be stunned if Tom Brady went back to New England.”
— ESPN (@espn) February 27, 2020
—@jeffdarlington on @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/CnyoANl77v
Meanwhile, the Boston Herald reported that a source said the Patriots have yet to reach out to Brady’s camp about negotiations.
But there’s a reason behind that. And it has to do with the CBA.
A source told the Globe earlier in the week that coach Bill Belichick doesn’t believe it makes much sense in talking to Brady about a potential deal until the situation with the collective bargaining agreement is resolved.
Some suggested reading: Why all this Tom Brady speculation is bound to go down to the wire
Wednesday, Feb. 26 | 20 days until March 17
You’ve heard rumors about Tom Brady landing with the Chargers, or maybe the Raiders. But now, another team has emerged as a potential landing spot: Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers need a quarterback, and Ben Volin laid out all the signs that point to why Bruce Arians and his crew may be putting in the work to land Brady.
The kicker? On paper, the Bucs do look like a pretty good match.
“It does make sense,” one lower-ranking Bucs source said.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 21 days
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on “Get Up” this morning that the Tom Brady situation could gain some clarity later this week.
NFL teams are able to apply the franchise tag to players beginning this week. One question in the air: Will the Titans franchise Ryan Tannehill?
“If they put the franchise tag on Ryan Tannehill,” Schefter explained, “That would essentially take them out of any talks or discussions for Tom Brady.”
Schefter said we should “get a glimpse of what the Titans’ thinking is” and if they’re looking to get in on the Brady sweepstakes.
Are the Titans going to make a play for Tom Brady?@AdamSchefter says we will most likely know if Tennessee is in or out by Thursday 🌾👀🌾 pic.twitter.com/NOuvxYnH39
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 25, 2020
Monday, Feb. 24 | 22 days until March 17
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Patriots are expected to meet with Tom Brady’s longtime representative Don Yee during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week.
Tuesday, Feb. 18 | 28 days
Finally, we know what Ben Affleck heard. And he hasn’t heard much.
The movie star with local ties told ESPN’s “Get Up” that he shares a text group with Tom Brady and friend Matt Damon. When the two actors asked Brady what the plan was, all they got back was 🤷♂️.
“Me and Matt texted him, and said, ‘What’s the deal? You going or you staying?’ And this is what we got back: an emoji,” Affleck said, doing his best impression of the shrug emoji.
Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 34 days until March 17
Will he stay? Will he go? Yes, it’s the question on every Patriots fan’s mind. But, as Ben Volin lays out, all the speculation likely won’t lead one to an answer. Heck, even Tom Brady probably doesn’t know what will happen.
That’s because deadlines matter in this situation. The deal won’t come together until the clock is ticking.
In addition, the Patriots and director of player personnel Nick Caserio agreed to a contract extension that will keep the executive with the team for a 20th season.
Retaining Caserio offers continuity, explains Ben Volin. The Patriots have suffered several coaching and personnel losses the last few years, including Matt Patricia, Brian Flores, and several assistant coaches, plus current NFL GMs Bob Quinn and Jon Robinson, and several scouts on the personnel side.
But Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels, and now Caserio — who is essentially the general manager — have remained, keeping the key pieces in place. This may make it easier to convince Brady to return for another season.
Monday, Feb. 10 | 36 days
Patriots owner Robert Kraft made an appearance at an Oscar party on Sunday in Los Angeles, and of course he was asked what he wants Tom Brady to do.
Meanwhile, on the west coast, Phillip Rivers and the Chargers announced that Rivers would become a free agent instead of returning to the team for which he’s played for his whole 16-year career. Does that pave the way for Brady to head to Los Angeles?
Friday, Feb. 7 | 39 days
One thing is for certain: Tom Brady has had plenty of time to up his social-media game as of late. On Friday, he didn’t let the chance go by to take a shot at former rival Peyton Manning and his golf game.
Not true. Peyton is the better golfer right now. He’s had much more practice these past few years. https://t.co/etoGOmd0c0
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 7, 2020
Which begs the question: Is Tom Brady becoming a certified Internet troll? Chad Finn lays out the facts in a column from this week.
Wednesday, Feb. 5 | 41 days
Tom Brady took to Instagram to answer some questions about his fitness routine. Fans took the opportunity to ask about his future. (He didn’t take the bait.)
Tuesday, Feb. 4 | 42 days
Maybe this will convince Tom Brady?
Baby come back @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/NP0JZKoc0Q
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) February 4, 2020
Monday, Feb. 3 | 43 days
The Daily Mail spotted moving trucks outside the Brookline home of Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen. Brady and his family are reportedly spending part of the offseason in New York City while they try to sell their Massachusetts mansion.
Sunday, Feb. 2 | 44 days
Tom Brady may have had some veiled references to his upcoming free agency in a Super Bowl commercial he appeared in for streaming service Hulu.
“But me? I’m not going anywhere,” he spoke to the camera after making his pitch for consumers to sign up for Hulu.
Brady, Bill Belichick and the Patriots still dominated the conversation in Miami on Super Bowl Sunday. A number of former players were on hand for the NFL 100 pregame celebration.
After the Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LIV, oddsmakers immediately began looking to next season.
Many sports books have odds on where Brady will end up, and Sports Betting Dime put it at 2-3 — the mostly likely scenario — that Brady remains a Patriot.
Thursday, Jan. 30 | 47 days
Tom Brady to the Titans?
Hearing that Tom Brady is in town, visiting Montgomery Bell Academy with his son
— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) January 30, 2020
That rumor was quickly debunked, but Brady played into the discourse with his cryptic social-media post on Thursday evening.
The post sent fans everywhere into panic mode. What could it mean?! (Turns out, it’s for a Super Bowl ad.)
Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 48 days
If you’re the betting type, you’ll love this news: The latest odds from DraftKings on where Tom Brady will start in 2020 have New England as the clear favorite. (Other teams in the top three: Chargers and Colts.)
Tuesday, Jan. 28 | 49 days
Rob Gronkowski weighed in on Tom Brady’s future, and he thinks his former QB has a right to test out that free agent market.
I truly believe that he deserves the opportunity to go explore — to see what’s out there," he told the Globe’s Jim McBride. "He’s been playing for so long and just the way that he’s been playing — just the level that he’s been playing at — he definitely deserves an opportunity to go out there and test the market.’’
Where in the world is Brady, anyway? Manhattan, it seems.
NFL Network’s Mike Girardi reports that Brady, his wife Gisele and their children are living in New York City right now. Their home in Brookline has been on the market and remains unsold.
For those of you who follow the real estate, Tom Brady and family are currently holed up in Manhattan. In fact, Super G and the kids took up the space before the season ended and Tom joined them after. The house in Brookline remains unsold.
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 28, 2020
Monday, Jan. 27 | 50 days
Now we know what Joe Montana thinks.
The NFL legend, who began his career in San Francisco and finished it in Kansas City, knows how hard it is for a veteran to adjust to a new team.
That’s why he’s telling Tom Brady to stay with the Patriots.
“It’s not easy to go to another team and get accepted, no matter how much success you’ve had and how many years you’ve played,” Montana told NFL Media. “They still want to see you come in and be the same player and be that loyal to them as you were to the other team you just left. So, it’s not easy [for] guys looking at that change, especially at the quarterback position.”
Sunday, Jan. 19 | 58 days
Tom Brady tells Westwood One he’s still interested in playing in 2020, and said he’s going to embrace whatever the future brings “with open arms.”
And Brady’s former backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, is headed to the Super Bowl after the 49ers beat the Packers, 37-20, in the NFC Championship game.
One more thing of note: Phillip Rivers is moving to Florida.
The quarterback is a free agent and, after 16 seasons with the Chargers, it appears the team is moving on from him. Rivers told ESPN that it was time to get closer to family.
“What this means football-wise is to be determined but it was time for us to move back closer to home,” Rivers said.
Why does this matter when it comes to tracking Tom Brady? Brady is a California native and Los Angeles has been a rumored destination if he were to leave the Patriots. This opens up a clear path.
Saturday, Jan. 18 | 59 days
Tom Brady was spotted talking with Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis on Saturday at a UFC fight in Sin City.
He wasn’t the only NFL star in attendance -- Christian McCaffrey, Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield were also there -- and he also spoke with Mass. native and UFC president Dana White.
White had some thoughts on Brady’s impending free agency:
“If that dude isn’t playing for Boston, he’s playing here."
Sunday, Jan. 12 | 65 days
The Browns choose to hire Kevin Stefanski, offensive coordinator of the just-bounced Vikings, instead of Josh McDaniels for their open head-coaching position.
What does that mean for Tom Brady? Well, it means that Tom Brady may be more likely to return if he’s not in a position where he’ll have to form a new relationship with a new coordinator -- who might have a new offense. Ben Volin explains the details.
From Jan. 12: Why signing Tom Brady to a multi-year deal makes sense for the Patriots
Saturday, Jan. 11 | 66 days
Two familiar names are one step closer to the Super Bowl after Saturday’s divisional games.
Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers are headed to the NFC Championship game after beating the Vikings, 27-10, at Levi’s Stadium.
Related: 49ers fans love Jimmy Garoppolo. Like, really love him
Then, Mike Vrabel’s Titans stunned prohibitive favorite Baltimore in the late game, winning 28-12.
Meanwhile, Josh McDaniels is in a holding pattern over the Browns job.
Friday, Jan. 10 | 67 days
Josh McDaniels spent more than seven hours interviewing for the Browns head coaching job. He and his wife Laura were flown to Cleveland by team owner Jimmy Haslam.
He was the final candidate to interview for the final NFL job open during this hiring cycle.
Meanwhile, Jim McBride took stock of the Patriots roster. Here’s a look at how it stood on Jan. 10.
Thursday, Jan. 9 | 68 days
Joe Judge is introduced as the new Giants coach. He divulges the only piece of advice Bill Belichick offered up: “He told me to just be yourself, and that’s all I know how to be.”
Meanwhile, Ben Volin plays a what-if game: What if Tom Brady leaves? Who would he play for?
Here are 14 teams, with a reason he’d consider and a reason he wouldn’t.
Wednesday, Jan. 8 | 69 days
Brady posts on Instagram: “In both life and football, failure is inevitable. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again. And that’s right where you will find me. Because I know I still have more to prove.”
What does that mean? It confirms his intentions to play football in 2020, just like he said after the Patriots’ loss to the Titans.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 | 70 days
Matt Rhule and Joe Judge both got new jobs. Josh McDaniels does not.
The Patriots offensive coordinator is scheduled to have interviews with the Panthers on Tuesday and the Giants on Wednesday. Instead, the Panthers chose to hire Rhule from Baylor; a few hours later, the word trickles out that the Giants are finalizing a deal with Patriots’ special-teams coordinator and wide receivers coach Joe Judge.
With Mike McCarthy off to Dallas, that leaves one option for McDaniels: the Browns. McDaniels is scheduled to interview with them on Friday. Or, he could opt to sit this cycle out, and try for another head-coaching job next season.
Any way you look at it, the Patriots will once again need to do some rebuilding on the coaching staff. Judge, 38, has been with the team since 2012 and received wide-receiver duties this season to help prepare him to step into a head role.
“Joe could probably coach any position on the field,” Bill Belichick said about him last year. “He does an excellent job of teaching players. He thinks quickly, the game comes easily to him. He understands concepts and adjustments and fundamental techniques. That’s the mark of a good coach.”
Now, Judge will be tasked with helping to develop Daniel Jones as he enters his first season as full-time starter in New York.
Monday, Jan. 6 | 71 days
Robert Kraft, speaking to NBC Sports’s Peter King, knows exactly what he wants when it comes to Tom Brady’s future: “My hope and prayer is number one, he plays for the Patriots. Or number two, he retires.”
Kraft lauded his quarterback just a day after Bill Belichick said “nobody respects Tom more than I do” but also said that the process is “not a one-way street.”
What does all of this mean? Here’s a breakdown from Ben Volin, who reads between the lines.
Sunday, Jan. 5 | 72 days
Bill Belichick found himself in an unusual place on a Sunday morning in early January: behind the podium at Patriots HQ for his end-of-season press conference.
The Patriots head coach wouldn’t say much about the way the Patriots plan to approach Tom Brady’s free agency.
“Everybody’s situation on the team is different. There are not two that are exactly the same, but future is the future for all of them, just like it is for Tom and anybody else you want to bring up,’’ said Belichick. “Certainly, Tom’s an iconic figure in this organization and nobody respects Tom more than I do.’’
The Patriots’ first-round draft pick was also determined on Sunday. They will pick No. 23.
Saturday, Jan. 4 | 73 days
There was nothing a hype video could do to save the Patriots in 20-13 loss to the Titans that ended their season. It was the first time the Patriots had to play in the wild-card round since 2009.
After the game, Tom Brady addressed the biggest question in his postgame press conference: How likely is he to retire? “I would say it’s pretty unlikely, hopefully unlikely.”
There you have it.
But if he continues to play, will it be with the Patriots?
“I don’t know what the future looks like,” Brady said Saturday night. “I’m not going to predict it.”
Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her @k8tmac.