Hours before Tom Brady announced that he was leaving New England, Buccaneers linebacker Sam Acho predicted that Brady would wind up in Tampa Bay.
“Man, I think it’s Tom Brady,” Acho told Zach Gelb, when asked who would be the Bucs’ starter in 2020. “I didn’t say that at first because I played with BA [Bruce Arians] in 2013 and ’14 and I’m with him again in Tampa, so I know him pretty well. But, man, I hear they’re going after Brady pretty hard. If they don’t get Tom Brady, I think Teddy Bridgewater is going to be the guy.”
Acho, 31, explained why he is so confident about Brady coming to Tampa.
“No. 1, look at all the other teams,” he said. “Tannehill is back in Tennessee; San Francisco said they’re out; Indianapolis is seeming like they’re trying to get Philip Rivers; the Raiders, I don’t see Tom Brady going to Las Vegas. So when I look at the teams remaining, it’s either New England or Tampa. From what I understand, there’s a pretty contentious relationship between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. So I think as Tom sleeps on it, I think he’s going to Tampa. And if he doesn’t, I think Teddy Bridgewater is far and away No. 1.”
While Acho thinks Brady is coming to Tampa Bay, he still believes in Jameis Winston.
“Oh, I definitely believe in Jameis,” Acho said, “but you asked me what I think is going to happen. You see what’s going on. You see the push that the team is making. But you asked me what’s going to happen. It’s almost like, 'Who wouldn’t want Tom Brady?' But personally, I believe in Jameis, man. I’ve seen this guy make amazing plays and take amazing risks and play in an offense that’s perfectly suited for him.”