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The New Orleans Saints reportedly wanted to sign Tom Brady in the off-season if Drew Brees had decided to retire

Tom Brady
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles during training camp at Raymond James Stadium, September 3, 2020. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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After making the biggest move of the NFL off-season, Tom Brady will make his first start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

But according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington, there was a chance Brady could have been on the opposite sideline of Sunday's game.

The Saints had been targeting Brady as a free agent to replace Drew Brees if the longtime Saints quarterback had elected to retire in the off-season. The report said Brees was considering starting a TV career in the 2020 season. Instead, Brees decided against hanging up his cleats and returned for at least one more season with the Saints. He did, however, accept a deal from NBC to become an analyst whenever he finishes playing.

Ultimately, Brady made the move to Tampa Bay, and now the two quarterbacks will meet in Week 1 at the combined age of 84.

Both the Buccaneers and Saints are expected to be contenders heading into the 2020 season, but it's fun to imagine what could have been if Brady had would up succeeding Brees in New Orleans. 

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Tyler Lauletta is a sports reporter for Business Insider covering everything from the latest in NFL trades to the NBA playoff race to that weird rugby highlight you don't quite understand but know to be impressive. Hailing from Philadelphia, he is a known Truster of The Process. He graduated from Temple University. You can contact him at tlauletta@bjinnox.com with your questions, pitches, or if you ever feel like gloating after your favorite team beat the Philadelphia 76ers.