NFL insider addresses Tom Brady-Dolphins rumors

Tom Brady ended his brief retirement earlier this month when he announced he had “unfinished business” with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that has not stopped some from speculating that the star quarterback wants to play elsewhere.

Longtime Boston sports media personality Dale Arnold sent fans into a frenzy on Friday when he said Brady wants to play for the Miami Dolphins. Arnold claimed the two sides are “working on it.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, one of the most respected reporters in sports, is not buying it.

Rapoport told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday that he has heard nothing about Brady being traded to Miami.

"Tom Brady to Miami doesn't make any sense.. he's under contract with the Bucs & has recruited guys to play with him in Tampa" ~@RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/oJbGilgCPC

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 25, 2022

“This one doesn’t make any sense. Brady is under contract with the Bucs. They have said definitively that he’s not going anywhere,” Rapoport said. “Plus, if I remember correctly he did recruit a couple of guys to sign back with Tampa, including his buddy Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin and several other free agents. Is he really going to do that and then bail?”

Rapoport also noted that the Dolphins were accused of tampering with Brady as part of the Brian Flores lawsuit, which makes him doubt even more that they would end up with the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

If Brady was intent on playing for the Dolphins, the Bucs would probably accommodate his request. There’s just no real reason to believe that is what he wants, even if there was supposedly a big plan to bring Brady to Miami earlier this offseason.

Photo: Dec 26, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports