The Dolphins will replace Tua Tagovailoa in the short term after the quarterback suffered the third official concussion of his career – but the next man up won’t be Tom Brady.
That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who quickly shot down the notion that Miami could try to lure Brady out of retirement with Tagovailoa’s injury timeline unclear.
‘I know a lot of people suggested Tom Brady, bringing him out of retirement – that’s not gonna happen,’ Schefter said on Sunday NFL Countdown.
Tagovailoa left the Dolphins’ game vs. the Bills on Thursday after lowering his head into the chest of Damar Hamlin, and there is currently no timetable for his return.
Some have even suggested the quarterback should retire, as he also suffered at least two concussions two seasons ago (with many believing he showed signs of being concussed in another 2022 game vs. the Bills).
Tom Brady, seen at Birmingham’s League One match vs. Birmingham, doesn’t seem likely to come out of retirement
QB Tua Tagovailoa’s timetable is unclear after the third official concussion of his career
Nonetheless, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Tagovailoa had ‘no plans to retire’ and is meeting with concussion specialists.
Notably, the Dolphins tried to recruit Brady to South Beach beginning in the 2019 season, with further contact occurring in 2021, according to an NFL investigation.
However, that plan blew up after ex-Miami coach Brian Flores accused the team of urging him to tamper and deliberately lose games, leading the NFL to investigate.
The Dolphins were later docked a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder after the NFL found that that the team had ‘impermissible communications,’ with Brady when he was a member of the Patriots and then Bucs.
Brady, alongside Kevin Burkhardt, has been keeping busy as a commentator for Fox Sports
The Dolphins on Monday signed Tyler Huntley off of the Ravens’ practice squad, with Skylar Thompson in line to start this weekend.
Some have suggested that the team should sign free agent Ryan Tannehill, who spent the first six years of his career in Miami and who has 216 career passing touchdowns.
Of course, Tagovailoa could return relatively soon as well.
But one thing seems to be for sure: Brady won’t be lining up under center for Miami.
