For a few weeks, it seemed as if 2021 was Buccaneers QB Tom Brady‘s last season as a player. The future Hall of Famer announced his retirement on February 1, only to reverse that decision just before the start of the new league year on March 13. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes, however, Brady is expected to hang up the cleats after the 2022 campaign.
This should not be especially surprising. After all, Brady did retire for a brief time just months ago, he has long stated that he wants to play until he is 45 — he just hit that milestone on August 3 — and he is out of contract at season’s end. Back in July, Brady acknowledged he was winding down, saying, “I would say it’s year to year. Could this be my last year? Absolutely. Could I change my mind? Absolutely. I’ve realized I don’t have five years left. I want to do it my way. I want to give it everything I got and see where I’m at. My body feels really good.”
Brady took an 11-day hiatus in the middle of this year’s training camp, which was planned but which nonetheless generated countless headlines, like most things that Brady does. We knew that Brady spent that time at a Bahamas resort with his family, and as Rapoport notes, Brady had promised his wife while he was still retired that he would vacation with the family in August for the first time in a long time. His absence amounted to nothing more than a fulfillment of that promise.
Of course, given Brady’s competitive nature, a return for the 2023 season remains a possibility. One source close to the 15-time Pro Bowler confirmed as much to Rapoport, though it presently seems more likely that, regardless of who is hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end, Brady will begin working as a Fox analyst on a healthy 10-year, $375MM contract. If he does choose to keep playing, he would be free to sign with any team, and while one source reiterated the affection and respect that Brady has for the Buccaneers’ organization, that source did not say that Brady would only play for Tampa Bay.
As for one of Brady’s favorite targets over the years, Rob Gronkowski? Despite Gronk’s recent adamance that he is retired for good, the Bucs reportedly were holding out hope that, if they are in the middle of a playoff chase this season, the enigmatic tight end could be convinced to return. However, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes, Tampa Bay believes Gronkowski is truly done with football.
The four-time First-Team All-Pro did post 55 catches for 802 yards and six TDs in just 12 games last year. If the Bucs are indeed in the mix for another Lombardi this season, they and Brady may well check in to see if Gronk might consider a second unretirement.
That’s what they’ve said the last 7 years so they’re bound to get it right one time. I doubt Brady will ever retire as he’s too cheap and wants to keep making as much money as any team will pay him. At his age hopefully he does not get hit so hard he breaks his hip
Yea… Tom and Giselle are definitely hurting for money.
Yea the guy whose taken a salary discount every year is just in it for the money lol plus he would make more money retired anyway broadcasting or endorsing junk like Shaq does. Plus his wife is a bazillionaire
He doesn’t really take salary discounts, he pushes money out that benefits the cap. He hurt the Patriots with dead money & will no doubt hurt the Bucs when he does leave/retire.
So she’s a Brazillionaire?
he literally starts getting paid 375 million by Fox the day he retires…
I’m personally unimpressed with the guy.. he’s not much of an athlete , throws mostly short passes and slants, and has always been carried by great offensive lines and pass catching RBs…. he’s also been suspending for cheating…
but it’d be outrageous to consider him as greedy and only playing for money.
The guy obviously loves playing
Aaron Fraudjers is a whooole nother story tho…
He got a 375 mill contract to be an analyst so he doesn’t need nfl money any more
Hilarious that Brady’s whole off-season plan blew up in his face, i.e., jobbingTampa/Arians by retiring with no notice and taking that Miami front office job.
Gronkowski has back problems – 4 SB rings – $71 million in the bank – and a house full of Instagram models. Somehow I don’t think football holds much of an attraction for him anymore.
Lurch won’t retire if Gisele ends up divorcing him and taking the kids. Guy had a chance to go be with his family but likes the limelight too much to do that.
Speculation of marriage troubles? Hmmm. Really? Maybe just spin by Brady’s PR people and probably the league’s as well? So was the speculation of him being on the masked singer show? Whomever is involved here; there seems to be desperation to deflect any more bad press that can, and possibly will, leak out in regards to the Miami debacle.
Unless Miami calls again, I guess.
He’ll be playing for the Dolphins in 2023 on a 2 year deal.