The question is why. If he is no good, then why do we want him? If he is good why do the Patriots want to get rid of him? You cite Brady's contract, but let's look at his age and salary for each year:
2013 36 $1mm Base 2014 37 $2mm Base 2015 38 $7mm Base guaranteed if on roster at end of 20142016 39 $8mm Base guaranteed if on roster at end of 20142017 40 $9mm Base guaranteed if on roster at end of 2014Adding in $6mm per year for the signing bonus, 2015-2017 cap hits are $13mm, $14mm and $15mm. If I am the Patriots and I think that Mallett has a chance of being good to great in this league, surely I can find cap room for him when our starting QB maxes out at $15mm per. Take the contract the Chiefs gave Chase Daniel ($10mm for 3 yrs) and add a nice bump, lock him up a year early so you don't have to compete and throw $5mm a year at him.
That assumes that Brady is going to be healthy and able over that timeframe. Mallett would sure be nice insurance for another Pollard scenario. The greater concern is how much Brady has left though? In 2015 he will be 38 to start the season, I think 4,000 passing yds is kind of a need in the Patriots current system. Here is the list of QBs that have thrown for 4,000 yds at age 38 or older according to profootballreference:
Warren Moon x2
Brett Favre x2
I am sure there are good arguments for why he could be different and join this group, but he is quickly coming upon the end of his career.
