New England Patriots: Dear Adam Humphries, age is nothing but a number

New Tennessee Titans wide receiver Adam Humphries said Tom Brady’s age factored in his decision not to sign with the New England Patriots.

The New England Patriots weren’t willing to break the bank on many high-level players during free agency, but the one they were willing to pay decided not to sign with the defending Super Bowl champions due to Tom Brady.

Wait, what?

Yes, the Tom Brady who sports six Super Bowl rings and basically solidified himself as the G.O.A.T to the few left who doubt his greatness.  The same quarterback who has thrown touchdown passes to 71 different targets, including a defensive player named Mike Vrabel, who happens to be the head coach of one Adam Humphries.

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Now, before we get all over Humphries for reportedly taking less to play catch with Marcus Mariota over Brady, let’s hear him out.  His reasoning is a dose of reality for Patriots fans.  Brady is getting old and a young talent like Humphries considered that with his decision to sign a long-term deal.

So here is what he told The Athletic on Monday, via CBS Sports:

"“Obviously, he’s the G.O.A.T.  That’s that simple.  But there’s so much that factors into a decision.  It was a four-year deal.  Who knows how many (years) he’s got left?  There’s a lot that goes into it.  Obviously, the chance to play with him would have been awesome, but a lot of things factor into that decision.  Ultimately, I thought this was coming to a team that was on the rise and with young talent on the offense and a really good defense.  They’d had a taste of the playoffs.  I felt like my need at the slot position was great.  I felt like I could really contribute and start something new here.”"

Admirable, yes.  But, doubting the longevity of Tom Brady is a mistake the Max Kellermans of the world continue to make year after year.

To the credit of Humphries, he is right.  Any season from here on out could be Brady’s last.  Heck, any game could be his last if he takes a hard hit or has another *gasp* ACL tear.  But, on the flip side, this is Tom Brady we are talking about.

Even at 42, he could transform a productive slot receiver like Adam Humphries into a big-time force within the offense.  He had the chance to produce as greatly as Troy Brown, Wes Welker and Julian Edelman.  At the very least, he would’ve been in the Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan category.

On the New England Patriots side of the Humphries decision was the realization that not having the next guy after Brady does have an impact.  If Jimmy Garoppolo was still waiting in the wings, would that have persuaded Adam Humphries more towards the Patriots side?

At this point, it’s all “what if.”  But, essentially, Humphries chose Marcus Mariota over Tom Brady.  That’s how New England Patriots fans are going to see it.

It stings a little, but the Patriots always find a way to be alright, even if Humphries thrives down there in Tennessee.

Chalk this up as more motivation for Tom Brady to play to 45 or beyond.