While nothing is officially set in stone, all indications are that Jets' long-time enemy Tom Brady is heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and leaving the New England Patriots, officially ending one of the most successful two-decade runs in the history of professional sports.
And it sounds like maybe Jets fans should be thanking... Derek Jeter?
With Tampa expected to land Brady on a deal reportedly worth roughly $30 million a year, it sounds as if the former Yankees captain may have been part of Brady's decision-making.
According to NFL Network's Scott Hanson, Brady had dinner in Tampa on Sunday night with Jeter, Bill Gates, and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik -- quite the crew.
Hanson gave some context, saying that Jeter, now a minority owner and CEO of the Miami Marlins, lives in Tampa, while Gates and Vinik are developing real estate and infrastructure in downtown Tampa.
Later, Hanson said that two other sources denied that Brady was at this steakhouse dinner, though his original source stands by the story. The cloud of mystery is palpable, but it wouldn't be beyond Brady and company to want to try to keep things on the down low until anything is official.
Whether or not this alleged dinner had anything to do with Brady, who has tormented Jets fans for 20 years, and his free agency decision is still yet to be determined. But, at the very least, Jets fans (many of whom are likely loyal Mets fans) should be thanking Jeter anyway.
Sounds like The Captain just delivered again for the city of New York.