Drew Bledsoe thinks leaving Patriots could be ‘intriguing’ for Tom Brady

Tom Brady would almost certainly prefer to finish his career with the New England Patriots if they do enough to prove they want him back, but one person who knows him quite well believes the quarterback may feel rejuvenated by a fresh start elsewhere.

Drew Bledsoe, whose injury nearly 20 years ago paved the way for Brady to become the greatest quarterback of all time, said during an interview with CBS Sports Radio’s “The Zach Gelb Show” Monday that he has no idea if Brady will return to New England next season. However, he believes his former teammate could be “intrigued” by the idea of leaving.

“I do think there is some intrigue probably on both sides of that thing to see if they can do it without the other guy,” Bledsoe said, as transcribed by Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston.

The Patriots drafted Bledsoe with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, and he signed a 10-year, $103 million deal with the team prior to the 2001 season. That contract was the richest in NFL history at the time, so he obviously thought he was in New England to stay. Everything changed with one hit, however, and Bledsoe said it was exciting to enter a new situation when he went to the Buffalo Bills.

“This where it might be kind of intriguing for Tommy: All of a sudden you feel like a rookie again,” Bledsoe said. “You’re in a brand-new organization, you’re in a new situation, new coach, new teammates.

“It was kind of inspiring, honestly, to take on a new challenge in Buffalo. We got off to a great start that year. Unfortunately, we didn’t finish it strong, but it was a cool challenge to go take on, and who knows, it may be intriguing to him.”

One significant difference is that Bledsoe was only 30 at the time he began his tenure in Buffalo. It’s probably a lot more exciting to start fresh when you’re still in the prime of your career than it would be at age 43.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft sent a clear message about Brady’s future with the team this week, but the six-time Super Bowl champion is on the verge of becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. If it gets to the point where he tests the market, anything could happen.