4:20pm: Brady is still expected to retire, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who offers the issue that has since surfaced likely relates to the timing of the announcement rather than the decision itself (video link). An official announcement figures to come at some point soon, though it may take some time.
3:42pm: The Buccaneers still have not received definitive word their quarterback is retiring. Since ESPN’s report surfaced indicating Tom Brady was walking away, the 22-year veteran told GM Jason Licht he has not made a decision on retiring, The Athletic’s Greg Auman tweets.
During his call to the Bucs, Brady indicated he is “not even close” to deciding on retirement, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (on Twitter). Brady’s father has also weighed in on the matter. Tom Brady Sr. said his son has not retired, via Kylen Mills of KRON4 News (on Twitter). Brady’s agent, Don Yee, also tried to push pause on this situation.
While Brady has not indicated he won’t retire, true finality here has not come just yet. This story has certainly moved into a weird place, and it might well drag out for a while.
A Twitter user himself, Brady could easily clear this matter up. As of now, the 44-year-old passer has yet to confirm he is done playing. Brady has long indicated he wanted to play until his age-45 season, though rumblings of his retirement have surfaced for several days before Saturday’s report.
This decision comes at a key point for the Bucs, who failed to defend their Super Bowl title after bringing back their entire core from last season’s team. Tampa Bay has numerous starters set for free agency and has no Brady heir apparent lined up. Their two-year passer’s retirement call could also determine the futures of Bruce Arians and Rob Gronkowski. Arians has said he will continue as Tampa Bay’s head coach, but it will be interesting to hear from the 69-year-old HC once Brady makes his statement.
Better to be first then right in today’s media.
Seems like that applies to everything these days
Ad buyers pay according to the page views and articles are just nets for clicks. The breaking story, the update, the update’s update, the correction, the response, the retraction, the opinion piece…
I could get a single click for an accurate story, or I could get 50 by continuously changing the angles…
TB’s own company announced. There’s no bad reporting here. TB realized he can’t retire until after his 15M bonus is paid out next Friday.
I hope we get Farve-like TV coverage where they breaking news every time he wipes.
I hope it’s more like Lebron’s “decision” coverage… ultimately culminating in a 2 hour live special where at the end he decides to play for the Detroit Lions.
If he can win it with them; any doubts in the GOAT debate will be absolutely eliminated.
Do it Tom. Unless you’re a chicken.
with Dan Campbell. not that he’s an impediment, but him and Brady would be a curious combo.
yep, there we go. amazing sports reporting. no one will lose viewrship or credibility though.
Media. Imagine that. Even in sports these weasels f it up. Losers.
TB is going to retire and come out of retirement multiple times this off season just so he can hold the record for most times retired
Favre set that bar pretty high.
Bye, Lurch.
It’s been a bad year for Adam Schefter. It may soon get worse
Here we go another Favre.
He wanted to save the retirement announcement until just before kickoff at the Super Bowl, just to mess with the media. And Goodell. The news leaked early.
No way is he retiring. This is a wrong rumor that people ran with.
Let us rejoice over ESPN getting it wrong.
If thats the case, and we rejoiced everytime ESPN was wrong, you might have just found the solution to world peace!!
I think the media was/is correct. Just like the article says, it’s more of a timing issue. If he retires before Feb 4 he will lose out on millions
TB should cut him before he can steal $15m on the way out the door. Just smart business. Much like ignoring the fact that everyone knows your retiring but waiting an extra week to say it in order to collect a check on your way out the door.