NFL Rumors: Tom Brady and Sean Payton to team up and join Bucs' rivals? Mike Florio speculates about QB and HC's future 

Following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 31-14 loss at home to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs on Monday night, the focus of the NFL world switched to Tom Brady's future. The quarterback is a free agent and hasn't made a definitive decision about his playing career.

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Brady briefly retired after the 2021 season but reversed his decision less than two months later, citing unfinished business. His return did not go as planned as the Buccaneers finished the regular season with a 8-9 record and succumbed to the first hurdle in the playoffs.

If Brady returns to take care of unfinished business, it's likely still not complete, and he will look to join a new team for the 2023 season.

NFL insider Mike Florio put forth a scenario that could play out that involves in-demand head coach Sean Payton.

Tom Brady and Sean Payton to team up in Carolina?

Florio suggested that Tom Brady and Sean Payton could look to reinvigorate their desire to join forces and head to the Carolina Panthers. The quarterback and head coach were reportedly interested in teaming up in Miami for the 2022 season, but no such move materialized.

Florio claims the Panthers have everything in place to land Brady and Payton:

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"Four teams are interested in Payton — the Broncos, Cardinals, Texans, and Panthers. The first two have quarterbacks under massive contracts. The Texans need a lot more than Brady to become competitive. Enter the Panthers. The last to officially join the Payton chase, Carolina has a very good defense, very good receivers, a solid running game, and an offensive line good enough to make it all go."

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They tried to do it last year in Miami. This year, could Sean Payton and Tom Brady join forces in Carolina? wp.me/pbBqYq-cvQd

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They tried to do it last year in Miami. This year, could Sean Payton and Tom Brady join forces in Carolina? wp.me/pbBqYq-cvQd

He added:

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"They also have an owner who has been desperate for a great coach and a franchise quarterback. Even though Brady would be a short-term option, he’d fill the stadium and create a ton of excitement."

Florio also noted that the NFC South likely won't have any great teams in 2023 and they are also scheduled to face the AFC South, where the quality of teams is also lacking.

The Panthers' cap space situation isn't great, but it can be fixed with a few moves. Carolina owner David Tepper hasn't seen his team finish with a winning record since buying the team in 2018. He will undoubtedly be open to landing Tom Brady and Sean Payton to turn around his team's fortunes.

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