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Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht suggested that the organization was focused on the upcoming NFL draft and that any report of Tom Brady’s move to the Miami Dolphins was just “chatter.”
According to multiple reports earlier this month, Brady had a master plan to step into the Dolphins’ front office after retirement and take a stake while somehow coaxing Sean Payton out of early retirement and working with the New Orleans Saints for the contractual rights to the coach acted.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht walks on the sidelines prior to the NFC divisional game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 23, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brady initially announced his decision to retire from the NFL on the morning of February 1. Brady was set to be named the Dolphins’ minority owner in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Pro Football Talk reported. According to the Boston Globe, making Brady a senior team manager would have been the Tampa Bay quarterback’s way out. Reportedly, the Dolphins could have approached the Bucs about trading his contractual rights to come back and play quarterback during the 2022 season.
Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit and fueling allegations upset the plan.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after scoring a touchdown during the regular season game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 19, 2021 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida had. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Licht was asked to gossip about the reports.
“I do it as chatter. … We’re focused on getting our team together here with the draft and we’re all excited. We’re all in step here – Tom, Todd [Bowles]myself, Byron [Leftwich]the entire coaching team this season,” said Licht.
He added there was no discussion about Brady getting an equity stake in the Buccaneers.
“The only conversations we had with Tom were when he came back. We’re looking forward to this year and looking forward to getting started,” added Licht.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (12) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa, FL (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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The Buccaneers have the 27th pick in the first round of the 2022 draft.