What's the future hold for Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Sean Payton?

coaching and GM hiring stuff all picking up. Let's start with Tom Brady, who has now exited from the postseason with the Bucks at the hands of the l A Rams. And this has felt different for Tom this year and the way that he has addressed his future, right, Yeah, for me, it has. And you know these things don't usually come with big banners, right, So, if Tom Brady is kind of thinking about retiring, first of all, he's

not telling a lot of people. Maybe telling a couple of people in his family, maybe someone else close to him, but not very many. So trying to get information on it is difficult. And then it's not like, you know, he broadcast in a week sixteen like, hey, guys, f y I asked me about if I'm coming back because my answer might be a little different. So it's all coming kind of code, you know. Like I was watching the interview that Brady did with William McGinnis on the

network last Game Day Mornings. I think it was either last Saturday or Sunday, and Willie kind of goes, oh, you know, you've said you want to play the forty five? Does that go to fifty now? And Brady's comment is, I'm still trying to play the forty five. You wanted to play until you were forty five. You're forty four now, but you're leading the league in yards, you're leading the league in touchdowns. Is that number pushed to like fifty now? Like?

Are you say, I feel great, maybe I'll go to fifty. You know, I think when I thought about that, that was probably ten years ago, you know, and you know, I'm kind of here, so I felt like, man, that was a that was a great goal to set, and you know, I still had that goal of wanting to get to forty five, so you know, we'll see how it goes. I think I'm just pretty much an unchartered territory. And I was listening last week and I was like, huh,

that's weird, like that's usually not what he says. Usually goes I could play forever, and I'm like, so I made a little note to that. Spoke some people close to him this week, and as one person who've done him forever says, it's gonna step away and take some time and figure it out. And I talked to someone else close to him, and this person said, it's ridiculous. Pretty hasn't even thought about that process going forward. People, however, play that I haven't put a lot of thought into it.

So I'll just take it day by day and see kind of see who we're at. At least to take a wing as you came off the field, or at any time today to think about that, to think that this this might be the last time I'm out of here. Now, I was thinking about winning. That's kind of my mentality, always to go out there and try to win, give my team the best chance to win. It kind of comes in little snippets I would say, um, but I'm

starting to get the sense he's really considering it. So I feel like there are some parts of his situation and the Aaron Rodgers situation that are that are have some kind of similarities one. Um, I'm curious if for Brady the structure of the team and who's actually there next year, which is a big question mark this year, does that have any impact for him, whereas it sounds like it does for Rogers. And we'll get to Rodgers later. Yeah, I don't think it has anything to do with Brady.

I think, you know, I think it's really just doesn't want to play or not right. I mean, it's not like this, you know, resigned Chris Godwin. Like, I think it's just about him, does he want to play? And like, there's a couple of things we've learned about Brady. One is he's not going to drop off. Like I don't know what we were all waiting for, but like he's not just gonna suddenly be completing fifty percent of his passes. He's still gonna be Tom Brady n til the end

of time. It's like, you know, people were all hitting me up this week after our report of this, like why would he retire? And I'm like, why would he not retire? What else does he have to do? He's forty four, he's got a family that he loves, He's got other things like a clothing line and production company, Like he's played forever, like I don't know, like he's won seven super Bowls. Like at some point doesn't he go like, all right, that was awesome, Like let's try

something else. And I think that might people he is. Yeah, like when you've done an entire documentary series with each episode being about each of the ten episodes being about each of your ten super Bowl seasons, it's a you don't really have a whole lot left to accomplish out there. Does this feel like something that, based on some of the conversations you've had, that we will learn relatively quickly, um? Or do you feel like this could draw out for

a little while. I think it'll probably draw for a little bit. I mean, he's what he usually does is go out to Montana and just kind of hang out and I guess, I guess, gee, I don't know whatever people doing like a horseback riding play like they're in Yellowstone. I don't know whatever people do in Montana. He's gonna do all that and uh, you know it's doing way you can make these decisions is by stepping back and just letting it all kind of like washed through you,

you know. Thin thing with Sean Payton going to Mexico and just being I turned on my phone for two weeks and see what I want to do? Um and then so so I think Brady will get through that and then let us know in some way, like you know, when he was leaving the Patriots, he let us know in a Instagram post or Facebook post or something like. I would imagine either that or some sort of like production well produced something. Um, it's got a couple of

tricks up to sleeve. I'm sure let us know. Did we ever figure out whether he was walking into Gillette Stadium or walking out of Gillette Stadium in that post? Did we ever get the clarity on that? You remember that one? I remember me and Gara Folo were trying to track down was that real? And we were able to get the big scoop that that was a commercial. We were like, wow, oh, thanks to be fair. Like

I've I've scoured for stupider news in my life. Yes, it's definitely not the stupidest, yes, but it's it was pretty stupid. Yeah. You start tracking like camera crew assignments, like who's going to Tampa to work on something for Tom Brady? Find out whether there's a retirement video in the works. Yeah, you start tracking airplanes and that's good.

That'd be good, A good way to do it. All right, Let's move then to Aaron Rodgers here, who basically didn't say much after the game that they lost to the forty niners and sent them home again very frustratingly and disappointingly from the postseason after a phenomenal regular season. He did say he doesn't want to be a part of a rebuild. A lot of decisions to be made. I

don't want to be a part of a rebuild. Uh if you know, if I'm I'm gonna keep playing, So a lot of decisions, you know, in the next couple of months, and said there's a lot of guys with uncertain futures, which he also said last year. You know, there's obviously a lot of decisions to be made. There's a lot of players that whose futures are up in

the air. Where we at right now in this whole saga with Rogers and the Packers and a potential for a return, I think we're where we always thought we would be, which is, you know, his season end now. Unfortunately it's not in the soup bow, and that sucks, but and ended faster than he thought. And I think we all thought and then don't think we'd be talking

about this after this game. It's fresh right now. It's it's a little shocking for sure, definitely having you know, I was hoping to have, you know, nice week after the Nancy Championship, to enjoy the lead up and and then start contemplating some things. So I haven't even haven't even let the moment really sink in yet. It was kind of weird seeing him up there and all frustrated and disappointed after another early playoff loss, and like you could you know, one thing about Rogers is he really

wears it. You can see him just in pain and hurting, which is not fun, you know. But I would say to me, we're kind of like we're where we thought we would be. His season ended, it was disappointing. He's gonna step back and he's going to think about it. And you know, Rogers is thirty eight years old. He is going to consider retirement. And you know, it's kind of like we were saying, like, you know, it never

quite ends like you want. But you know, it's like every relationship, it's like, well, you'd hate for it to end like that. And you know it's like if they always say if it didn't end badly, would not end like he just could always he's always end badly, otherwise they would go on forever. Um, So he'll consider whether to come back. And then you know, I was interested a little bit in him saying that it needs to make sure it's it's not a rebuild. So it's gonna

keep Davante, You better keep some of these guys together. Um. And they could do it. They got some capt manipulations to do, but they could do it anyway. Or does he go to them and say, hey, remember when you verbally agreed to talk to me about potential trades, Like, let's do that. Now those are his options and honestly

don't know what he's gonna do. Yeah, So, I mean, Davante seems like a non starter to me, Like if that doesn't happen, like I don't know that there's doesn't feel like there's any way that he would want to come back to a Davante Adams less Green Bay Packers team unless there was something. No. I think he'll get I think Devonte will get tagged. You'll get tagged. So he'll be He'll be a Green Bay Packer next year, one way or another, whether it's on the tag or otherwise.

How much of the relationship, like, is this still like the relationship with the front office, with Gudikins, with the personnel department. We know that he and La Fleur seemed to get along pretty well. How much of the relationship really matters here with the organization? You know, it feels like it's better. They've listened to him a couple of different ways, and it feels like they've kept him in

the loop pretty good. So I think that was the question at the beginning, right, But like once he spoke, you remember, they had a lot of of they had a lot of you know, intense conversations this offseason to figure this out. So I think they really got to the bottom. Like it was raw and it was kind of ugly, and they were real truthful to each other. And it feels like they got in a really good place. So that's good, um, and that got better, But like,

is that cutti be enough to make him want to stay? Like, I don't know, I would say this, Like they were great this year and I know they lost, so that was bad, but they were so good that it would be hard for me to find him in a better place. Maybe an as good, but I don't like Denver would be good, but I don't know if they would be better. Yeah,

uh yeah. We did talk about the fact that this offense and the way that they play doesn't feel particularly suited for deep playoff runs in the frozen tundra of lambau Field. Yet um, you know here they are kind of kind of still playing that way and having these exits in the postseason and these fridge attempts at not getting the same kind of wide open offense you see a lot of times during the regular season from them. But that's a story for another day. Um, it did, right,

I mean it's they played a different way. Everything was the throw to the running back or Davante. I mean, if you watch that, and I know there's the frustrated about this, you watch back that third and eleven, you can see Lazarre coming clear, wide open across the middle, and I'm like, and I'm no exces and those guru, but I'm like, oh my god, you saw that, right, Yeah,

I mean there are a number of opportunities. I mean, like, look, he's the best thrower of the pure thrower of the football in the league, Like it feels like everything you know that he can overcome any sort of obstacle. But for whatever reason, and these playoff games, you know, just had not had their best performances in these exits. And look that happens to you know, every every team except

for one, every season. But um, the you mentioned it briefly, the verbal agreement was that that was a part of like the rework contract that they figured out once he arrived in Green Bay, and that would make it easier or more difficult to facilitate an exit if need be. It wasn't. It wasn't like it's there's nothing written from what I can tell. So if they want to give him the finger, I guess they could theoretically do it. But the way they've conducted themselves both sides, like, I

don't think there would be a proverbial finger. I think there would be like you respect us, we respect you, We told you we would do this, let's do it, you know. And so basically what it was was, um, we will consider trade options to a place that makes sense for both of us. So like probably wouldn't consider a trade to the Bears probably probably wouldn't want to trade him in the NFC, but might you trade him to like the Broncos Maybe. I think that's probably more

what it was. Yeah, and that that that certainly seemed to be the destination that made the most sense or had the most traction right in the most talk last off So look at that. Rogers Brady will headline the off season, and their decisions to either come back, go to leave, or to find a news destination will certainly be the biggest pieces of the off season, but not

the only. In fact, all this coaching news that we're starting to see heat up a little bit, and perhaps one more seismic move that could alter the state of the NFL in the NFC South in particular, we dig into red after this all right back here on NFL Inside Report and FEL Network Inside I and RAP Reports gracious enough to be our guests today once again, And look, I and You've been tracking down some some major major stories here these last couple of weeks. We talked a

little bit about Brady and Rodgers. In the first segment here Sean Payton and the uncertainty surrounding his future in New Orleans. Again popping up. His name's have been mentioned in and around the periphery of certain you know, potential head coaching moves the last couple of years, but this seems more uncertain than ever. And look, not that you're reporting ever needed any validation, but the owner of the Saints and Gail Benson, essentially affirmed your report today saying that, yeah,

I appreciated that. Yeah, no, right, yeah, we don't know, and I mean she was kind of laughing it off, but she said, yeah, like nobody knows, which is a like in and of itself, is a pretty big statement, isn't it. Yeah, you know, it's funny because like, you do this enough, and like I was confident of my information anyway, but god, you never know, people are going

to say like, of course they could. She could have said like, that's ridiculous, I don't know what you're talking about, while secretly knowing that there was some sort of intrigue and I'm sure and like you sure have never know. Instead she was basically like, uh, yeah, as good as mine, which is okay because I don't know either, um, and I don't know that anybody knows, And that was what was so interesting about it. You know, with the Brady thing, I could feel like people were kind of like, yeah,

he's gonna take some time with Sean. Paytone was really like, I don't know, he hasn't told us have you heard anything like that? Was basically like all the people close to him were kind of like, I've heard the rumors too, what are you here? So? I mean, I don't know, I really And he's got some opportunities in media. I don't know. I don't know who he's gonna do. But it just seems like he's just such a ball coach man.

It's like, you know, loves he still calls the place, loves the X and knows that it loves the game planning part of it. Now, the fact that they went through four quarterbacks this year made it a really difficult and stressful season I would imagine for Sean um And it sounded like this season was very hard for him, very very very hard for him. Do you feel like the lack of a long term answer at quarterback is part of what might might wear on him after, you know,

having Drew Brees for fifteen years. No, I think if he decides to come back, that invigorates him more than what's the opposite of that depresses him. I I feel like if he decides to come back, him trying to find the next quarterback would be something that he would look forward to. The challenge, the excitement that chase, like all of that. I think that would be great. It's really just he was a head coach for is a head coach for a long time, sixteen years, and he's

great at it, and it's just a long time. It's kind of like Brady. It's like the reason will be like if he decides because he needs a break, it's just a lot, like these jobs are all consuming and you can't be a normal person. And I get it, Like he might just need a break and that's okay. You know, there's no sense that at this point this has anything to do with the long rumored relationship courtship that they may or may not have had with the Dallas Cowboys and Sean Payton. Um I would say, I

don't believe that would be anything this year. If he did take a year off, took a mini, little mini vacation, remember he'd be under contract with the Saints. So if the Cowboys did replace him, and then I'm sorry, if the Saints did replace him, and then the Cowboys wanted to hire him the next year to be compensation, so they could sort of work that out. But I don't think that would be an issue this year. I think it would be more of an issue next year if

it became an issue at all. Right, And but as of right now, there's reports of him, you know, in the building in New Orleans today right like he's back from whatever little relaxation. At least he is at least present. He is back from Mexico. Yes, yeah, there you go. So we'll continue to follow that storyline, certainly. But the coaching carousel has been fairly slow developing, at least that's

what it feels like. Maybe it's the volume of the openings and the interviews, um, but we still have all of these head coaching openings, although it does sound like some are heating up here a little bit in Houston. I find it very interesting that for the second year, we're talking about an interview with Josh McCown, who has never coached in the NFL and has never had any other interview to my understanding, in the NFL other for

he interviewed with the Jaguars. He did okay, So but but again there's been the strongest interest seems to be from the Houston Texans. Any idea like where that where the genesis of that is? I mean, I know he's he's someone who has always been respected in the league. He has no coaching credentials except for high school football.

He has unbelievable leadership credentials. Yes, anyone who has ever known or worked with Josh McCowen absolutely swears by him and loves And I know this has made everyone's head explode. And I get it, because on one hand, you have an unqualified non coach getting an opportunity to opportunities to be ahead to have a head coach interview, while many many, very very qualified minorities don't get that chance, which is infuriating and on its face ridiculous. So I get it.

On the other hand, uh, this might be an anomaly because anyone who has known him has known he was going to be a head coach at some point. Like he's just that guy. He's always been like that. He's always been like that, and so you know, would it be ridiculous for them to kind of take the NBA model and just be like, this guy is a great leader he has no coach experience, but we think you're figured into the job and we're just going to hire him like probably could. So he would need a lot

of help, He need a lot of veteran assistance. But I don't think it's crazy. And you know NFL teams do plenty of crazy things, and to me, like this is no crazier than any of the other crazy things they do. Sure. Um, And then just to hit on some of the interviews and some of the teams that seem to be having some clarifications in their search, at

least they're getting some clarity in their search. Broncos seem to be down to a second round of interviews for some guys seeing with the Bears, with the Jaguars and what the Giants bringing Brian Dabole in this week after hiring Joe Shane as their general manager. Is that is that kind of the sense that you've gotten on teams that are getting a little bit closer. Yeah, I mean I think as a look at my humongous board here,

you know, Broncos are certainly a getting closure. They got Nathaniel Hackett in the building right now, obviously a strong candidate. You bring them in first, pretty strong candidate. Um, So I would say that's obviously something the Bears are kind of whittling down. They're gonna have some finalists. Um I would say the Jaguars have not yet. Jaguars and Dobbins have not yet put in request for second They haven't done seconds yet. Okay, they've done Jaguars have done ebra flus.

The Dolphins have not done any. Houston hasn't done second interviews, The Vikings haven't done second interviews. The Giants are doing day Ball second interview today. But I would also say that's kind of a little bit like a first interview because all they the owners only got him on zoom, so like it. I know it's a second interview and that means he is a strong candidate, but I also think they want to spend a lot of time with him, and so yes, they had to bring him in a

second time. And there's obviously a familiarity there with Joe and Brian's time together in Buffalo. Uh any sense that that model was particularly appealing um to Giants ownership with you know, let's say Joe Shane and seeing the development of Josh Allen. Knowing that you've got a quarterback that they spent a top ten pick on in Daniel Jones. That was that at least a part of it. Yeah, I mean I believe it would be not for his

development of the quarterback itself, but in leadership mostly. Um, you know, in the in the Patriot it's people, and Dave Ball has been a Patriots person for a while. The ones who have not succeeded have not gotten out of the building. He did. He went to Alabama, which is I know, Patriots sort of, but it's different. She went to Buffalo and learning the culture and what they do in Buffalo seems to be a really positive thing. And I know they lost last week, but yesterday, whenever,

that was nine years ago, yesterday. Um, everybody really respects what Buffalo has done, just what they built, So I would agree, Yeah, I mean that's a great thing. Um, a lot of reasons. But I think what they also have done is, you know, Josh Allen was given stability and a chance and comfort has not had that they would like in any way, shape or form. He has not had that. No, No, it's a great point. And

I know you are a busy man. We will thank you and let you get back on your way to figuring out the rest of all of these details of vacancies. Go for it, buddy, see you all right. I appreciate it. Take care, man, and that's gonna do it for this episode of NFL Inside Report. Reminder to download, rate, and review our show on the I Heart Radio app, on Apple podcast or wherever you get your ponds. We certainly appreciate it. For producers Thomas Warren and Tim Paracca, I'm

your host, Read Lewis. We'll catch you next time. NFL Inside Report is the production of the NFL and partnership with I Heart Radio. For more official podcasts from the NFL, visit the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.