Buccaneers GM Jason Licht feared Tom Brady deal would fall through

As weird as it may be, Tom Brady is a Buccaneer, and Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht couldn't be happier. However, Licht did fear that his deal for the 42-year-old quarterback would fall through.

After 20 years with the Patriots, it's hard to believe Brady would want out of New England, and even Licht had a difficult time believing it.

"Like many former New England coaches and executives, Licht figured Brady would decide at the last minute to resist the temptation to leave, sign back up with the only coach and program he has known for two decades, and ultimately retire a one-uniform icon," Ian O'Connor wrote for ESPN. "'Oh, definitely. I had thought that several times.'"

When the six-time Super Bowl champion ultimately decided to sign with the Buccaneers, the feeling must have been surreal for Licht and the entire organization. It's not often a player of Brady's caliber becomes available for hire, and the Buccaneers couldn't have asked for a better player to replace Jameis Winston.