Insider revives rumor about Tom Brady, Dolphins

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Mar 6, 2023 6:55 PM ET

Rumors linking quarterback Tom Brady with the Miami Dolphins aren't quieting down ahead of the spring.

NFL Network's Rich Eisen said during Monday's edition of the "Rich Eisen Show," that he heard during the NFL Combine that some believe the Dolphins could be a landing spot for Brady depending on the health of Miami starter Tua Tagovailoa.

CBS NFL insider Josina Anderson reported ahead of the weekend that the Dolphins potentially could move "in a different direction from" Tagovailoa this offseason after he suffered a minimum of two concussions during the 2022 campaign. Tagovailoa was in the concussion protocol from shortly after Christmas Day through January.

"The one place that folks are saying to keep an eye out for is Miami," Eisen said about Brady. "If the Dolphins, somehow or some way get a doctor’s report or piece of information from a medical evaluation of Tua that he may not be ready to go, and suddenly there’s Tom Brady sitting in Florida, where his family is located and where he can easily locate himself. Keep an eye out on that, I was told by a couple birdies at the Combine."

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed last week the club hasn't made a decision about the fifth-year option attached to Tagovailoa's rookie contract. General manager Chris Grier acknowledged during the Combine that he has some concerns about the signal-caller's durability.

It's been widely reported that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted to pair Brady with head coach Sean Payton last winter. Brady ultimately ended his first retirement and spent the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio raised eyebrows when he reported on Jan. 12 that TB12 possibly signing with the Dolphins this year was "definitely on the table" at that time.

Brady retired for a second time and "for good" on Feb. 1. However, multiple in-the-know individuals have said they think the San Francisco 49ers could reach out to the 45-year-old once his contract with the Buccaneers expires after the new league year starts on March 15. While Brady's parents still live in San Mateo, Calif., his ex-wife owns a home in Miami.

Brady has given no indication he'd play for any team in 2023, but he has kept his schedule open by announcing he won't start working as Fox's lead NFL analyst until the 2024 season.

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