The NFL offseason is perhaps best known for its big-name player movement. This year alone, for example, Pro Bowlers like Kirk Cousins, Saquon Barkley and Stefon Diggs swapped teams via trade or free agency. Just as often as blockbuster moves occur, however, spicy rumors can end up being just that: rumors. With roughly seven months between meaningful football games, it’s no wonder some of the most intriguing roster shuffles never come to fruition, instead morphing into imaginative folklore.
With that in mind, what are some of the juiciest big-name NFL team-ups that never happened, despite past rumblings otherwise? Here’s a look at 14 of the wildest what-ifs of recent memory:
The most accomplished quarterback of all time relocated to Florida for the final three seasons of his 23-year career, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been his Plan B. As Brady’s historic title-winning partnership with the New England Patriots was winding down, the Dolphins breached NFL rules by communicating with the quarterback, reportedly eyeing the seven-time Super Bowl champion as a future owner/executive/player. After retiring in 2023, Brady openly teased a potential Dolphins team-up again.
Before the Indianapolis Colts great joined the Denver Broncos in 2012, breathing new life into Mile High City as one of the most prized free agents of all time, Manning was admittedly “pretty close” to joining the Colts’ AFC South rivals. Late Titans owner Bud Adams made a public pitch to the star quarterback, who was coming off a serious neck injury at the time, and Manning already had ties to the area, playing college ball at Tennessee. In the end, he preferred Denver’s talent, and went on to win it all in 2015.
Who needs NBA free agency when you can draw the NFL? Basketball’s gold standard with four NBA titles and MVP awards, James has long teased interest in football, but the Los Angeles Lakers star could’ve put…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/14-big-name-nfl-team-ups-that-never-happened-andy-reid-to-the-cardinals-tom-brady-to-the-dolphins-and-more/
Author : Cody Benjamin
Publish date : 2024-06-27 17:38:36
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