Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David recently shared insights into Tom Brady’s move to Tampa Bay, revealing that the idea had been floated even before Brady officially joined the team. During a conversation on the Rich Eisen show and at a roast event for Brady, David said that Brady's potential arrival was mentioned during his exit interview with then head coach Bruce Arians following the 2019 season.

In that meeting, Arians told David, “If we don’t bring back Jameis [Winston], we’re going to get someone who can help us get over the hump... get us to the Super Bowl. And it might be The GOAT.” This early indication that the Buccaneers were considering Brady before the official free agency period raises questions about potential tampering.

Bruce Arians didn’t hide his intentions at the 2020 Scouting Combine, openly expressing Tampa Bay’s interest in pursuing Brady. Once Brady signed with the Buccaneers, the team sought to present a narrative that no discussions had occurred before the start of free agency.

Beyond Tampa Bay, Brady was also involved in tampering cases with other teams. For instance, his talks with the Miami Dolphins while still under contract with the Buccaneers led to penalties for the Dolphins. Similar situations arose when he explored options with other teams while still under contract with the New England Patriots.

These incidents illustrate a pattern where Brady took an active role in shaping his career, exploring new opportunities even when he was under contract with another team. Lavonte David’s story is just one example of Brady's influence in crafting his career path, suggesting that his focus on reaching his goals sometimes clashed with the limitations of NFL tampering rules.