Bedard: What does Tom Brady want? Plus tidbits on Stidham, McDaniels in Cleveland, Patriots WRs and OC plans

Fitting some puzzle pieces for a Patriots offseason like no other...

We know that Tom Brady is in search of something as he gets closer to the first unrestricted free agency of his career.

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But what are his priorities?

From those in the know, this is what he is looking for. The order isn't really known, but this is my best guess:

1. Respect

Say what you want about how Bill Belichick and his football operation does things — and you'd have every right to say they know what they're doing based on the track record — but it's not exactly warm and fuzzy. It's very cold at times, and rubs some players the wrong way.

We've been documenting Brady's dissatisfaction with things for a while, since at least it came bubbling to the surface in the wake of the Jimmy Garoppolo trade.

From not getting an extension in the wake of the Atlanta Super Bowl (and NFL MVP season) and not trading Jimmy Garoppolo that offseason, to two brutal contract renegotiations where no fair extension was forthcoming, Brady had it with the disrespect and wanted some leverage, so he negotiated this chance at free agency.

Brady is searching for a team that will say something along the lines of, "Tom, we recognize your value to this team and we're going to show you that in a fair contract, and we think it's important to surround you with the right people at this stage of your career."

You may think that's ridiculous for a 42-year-old player who is adored and has accomplished so much. But, trust me, it's always a factor. What did his wife say in Tom vs. Time?

"The last two years were very challenging for him in so many ways," she said. "He tells me 'I love it so much and I just want to go to work and feel appreciated and have fun.'"

Could he find that appreciation and respect from the Patriots? Sure. If Belichick suddenly gets real and personal, I think Brady could be swayed enough to say, "See, he really does care about me and wants me to finish my career the right way and I believe him. I don't need the other stuff, this is enough for me." And he's back taking less money, just like he always had.

2. A chance to win

Brady's not going to a team that doesn't have a legit shot to win a Super Bowl. That's pointless. So he's looking for a team that can help him close his career the right way. There are a lot of teams that would be elevated to contender status by Brady being the starting quarterback. And some of them might have more talent, but not necessarily a better shot at winning another Super Bowl. (New England has never had the best talent, yet that never stops them from being title contenders.)

3. Money

There's two ways players feel respected and appreciated. The first is by words and actions, and we laid that out at the top. The second is money. Belichick could not goose Brady at all but if the team offers the best contract and chance to win, that's a way of showing respect as well.

If the Chargers come with $30 million per year and tell Brady he's the centerpiece of a team that's close to winning in a major market, then that will be hard to top.

X-factor: Family

It's impossible to gauge or know what kind of arrangement Brady has with his wife about the next phase, but it's been made fairly clear that she doesn't want him going out on this past season. That could mean she's fully on board with him going solo for the better part of the next two years, or she's willing to relocate anywhere if that's what would make Brady happy. She has to know the end is near and I'm guessing the last thing she wants is for him to regret any decisions in his final act.

What do I think?

I think Brady believes — and, perhaps, he's been made to believe by some influential people in the organization — that the team will step up when the time comes and he'll be back with the Patriots, even though that's very complicated when it comes to his contract and what he would get paid.

But Brady could end up being disappointed if he's banking on that. I know the Patriots are busy trying to gauge what Brady's market might be and when he could ultimately sign. So the Patriots, as you might imagine, are preparing contingencies. You just have to wonder if Brady is really doing that as well.

WHAT ABOUT STIDHAM?

Here's what I've been able to glean about how the team views Jarrett Stidham. Certainly, for where he was drafted, Stidham had an impressive rookie season from camp and preseason, to the work he did behind the scenes.

But I don't get the sense the team is all aboard the Stidham train should things go south with Brady. Do they think they could win with him? Sure, as a part-timer. But the feeling is very similar to what they had with Jimmy Garoppolo at this stage — he really needs another season to be considered a legitimate NFL starter. So there will be other quarterbacks who can start that are seriously considered.

MCDANIELS AND CLEVELAND

Josh McDaniels, who was a victim of circumstances with the Giants and Panthers jobs, is in Cleveland to interview with the Browns. While he did bring his wife, Laura, with him, this is far from a done deal.

All you have to do is read this pitch-perfect Seth Wickersham story on the Browns' dysfunction to clearly see the issues there.

Owner Jimmy Haslam loves McDaniels. Basically, this will come down to one question and answer, and whether McDaniels believes that answer: "Do you know why you've been bad, and what are you prepared to do about that?"

The Browns can't keep having this by-committee approach to the organization. You can't have Paul DePodesta there overseeing things and being in Haslam's ear if you hire a coach like McDaniels who knows how a football culture and program needs to be established.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MCDANIELS LEAVES?

If McDaniels leaves for Cleveland, it's believed that there's not a concrete succession plan in place. Although no one knows what Belichick will ultimately do, the belief is that he might do the offense by committee — which would include him more on the offensive side of the building — and that could be a tall task.

Yes, assistant QB coach Mick Lombardi would be in the mix to spearhead the offense. I have not heard Charlie Weis' name mentioned but it would probably make a lot of sense to bring him back to help, and his son, USF offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., could be an asset as well.

IS JOE JUDGE A LOSS?

Joe Judge was named the Giants' head coach this week and there's little doubt he's a very good coach, and he definitely did good work with the special teams. But his work with the receivers did not receive rave reviews from some players.

Watching the Titans game from the press box reinforced the problems that Belichick invited when he added receivers coach to Judge's duties this season.

At one point, N'Keal Harry didn't properly get off contact and come back for a ball on third down near the end of the third quarter — the play where the Patriots wanted pass interference. Instead of Judge immediately pulling the rookie aside and correcting any miscues, Judge went directly to the punting unit to get them on the right page and coaching them through that play, and then made corrections with them after.

Did he ever get back to Harry and get him better for the next series? I'm not sure, but Judge not being totally on top of the receivers during games because of his other duties was an issue for some of the players.