Insider shoots down Tom Brady return to Patriots 'ever happening'

New England Patriots fans may want to stop dreaming about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady returning to his first NFL home. 

"I just can’t see that ever happening," insider Seth Wickersham of ESPN said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, according to Khari Thompson of Audacy. "I think Brady and coach [Bill] Belichick are on good terms, but I just cannot see him returning to New England to play." 

The Athletic's Jeff Howe suggested in a piece published last week that Brady, who can become a free agent when the new league year opens in March 2023, could once again play under Belichick as he did from 2000 through the 2019 season. While Brady and the Buccaneers have struggled throughout the ongoing campaign, second-year New England signal-caller Mac Jones has noticeably taken steps in the wrong direction following an impressive rookie year. 

Per ESPN stats, Brady is currently 20th in the NFL among qualified passers with a 52.2 total QBR and fifth with 3,332 passing yards this season. He has 16 touchdowns through the air compared with just three interceptions. Jones, meanwhile, is 27th with a 35.4 total QBR and has seven touchdowns with seven interceptions in nine games. 

Wickersham agreed with Howe and noted Brady likely would want to know he would work with somebody other than Matt Patricia as New England's offensive play-caller before he signed with the club. Even if Belichick strips Patricia of those duties as soon as for this coming Monday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, it appears it wouldn't be enough for a Brady-New England reunion.