Tom Brady Is Leaving the Patriots, Which Could Be Great For Bears

After months of wait, future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest of all-time announced that his epic 20-year run with the New England Patriots has come to an end. The 42-year old quarterback won six Super Bowl championships with the organization and participated in three others. A run that will likely never be equaled. Let alone surpassed. It could also end up being good news for the Chicago Bears.

Rumors have swirled that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the inside track on landing the QB. They've been the most aggressive in their pursuit from the jump, wanting to bring his star power down south. If this should happen, it closes the door for Teddy Bridgewater. Word has persisted the 27-year old is waiting on a decision there. The Bears have made it clear they'd like to sign him but he's likely waiting to see if they get Brady.

Should that happen, their odds of landing Bridgewater significantly improve. Of course, the Los Angeles Chargers remain a threat as do the Patriots. Still, it works in their favor if Brady ends up taking the Bucs' offer.

Tom Brady controls the Bears' fate at quarterback

It's amazing how Brady wields so much control over the business the Bears are trying to get done. Yet that's the nature of free agency. One big domino has to fall before the rest follow. No major quarterback is going to sign until they know where he is going. So Chicago will have to wait. If Bridgewater ends up going elsewhere, it likely comes down to either Andy Dalton or Nick Foles as their notable options for Trubisky competition.

That or throwing caution to the wind and signing Jameis Winston.

That would unquestionably be a last resort for them. It sounds like Bridgewater is the guy they want. He's a steady hand under center akin to Alex Smith. No doubt somebody Matt Nagy would love to have right about now. That is the name to watch until he makes a decision following where Brady lands.