Gulp: Patriots on Verge of Facing Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers Twice a Season?

New England's AFC East in 2023 could suddenly include new/old quarterbacks with eight Super Bowl rings and seven NFL MVPs.

For now, Tom Brady is retired and Aaron Rodgers is in limbo. But ...

There is suddenly a scenario where both iconic quarterbacks not only wind up back in the NFL, but playing against the New England Patriots twice a season in the AFC East. In this nightmare scenario for the Pats, the division lineup of quarterbacks would look thusly:

Miami Dolphins: Tom Brady

New York Jets: Aaron Rodgers

Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen

Patriots: Mac Jones

By our math that's a quarterback duo (Brady-Rodgers) that has won eight Super Bowls and seven MVPs, one (Allen) that was favored to win the 2022 MVP and ... Jones.

Let's pause here for a second while we all take a big, nervous gulp.

Brady to the Dolphins was Monday's blockbuster rumor, first reported by NFL Network's Rich Eisen.

“This one just blew my mind,'' Eisen said of what he heard last weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "Tom Brady might not be done after all.''

Brady to Miami is not new, as he was rumored to be headed there after leaving New England to become not only a quarterback but also a part-owner and maybe even sometime-GM. But he's a twice-retired, 45-year-old GOAT who just a month ago claimed he was done "this time for good."

Brady seemed to harpoon the rumor Tuesday when he responded on his social media with:

Anyone who thinks I have time to come back to the NFL has never adopted a 2 month old kitten for their daughter.

While Brady rising from the retirement dead - again - to replace Tua Tagovailoa in Miami still seems far-fetched, Rodgers to the Jets has plausible legs.

With Derek Carr's decision to play for the New Orleans Saints, the Jets on Tuesday went to their next choice to replace disappointing former top pick Zach Wilson - Rodgers. Though he's under contract with the Green Bay Packers and has made no post-"Darkness Retreat" proclamations about leaving - or even wanting to play again this season - New York received permission from Green Bay to talk to his Rodgers and his representatives.

Bottom line: The Packers are open to trading Rodgers, and one of his potential landing spots is with the Jets.

If both scenarios play out, just imagine ...

*Brady not only playing Bill Belichick and the Pats twice a season, but doing so while throwing to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

*Rodgers joining a team with a Top 5 defense and 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson.

*Allen, who entered last season as the MVP favorite, extending a four-game winning streak over the Pats by throwing to Stefon Diggs.

*New England, left with Jones coming off a year of stark regression and a top receiver in Jakobi Meyers set to hit free agency.

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