What Would Make Tom Brady Stay?
January 27th, 2022
Winner.
Joe doesn’t know Tom Brady beyond asking him a few questions standing feet away. Never shook his hand. Outside of 30 seconds at the White House, Joe never met Brady when there wasn’t a microphone in front of him. So Joe cannot claim to know Brady and, honestly, most reporters cannot say that about any player.
But based on what little Joe does know about Brady and his two years with the Bucs, there is one thing that we can be fairly certain of. That’s his passion and drive to win.
It seems Brady spends way, way, way more time away from the practice fields of One Buc Palace finding ways to win than he does sharping his already sharp skills.
Whether that is extra team meetings or hours of research or film study, Joe thinks it is fair to say practice is a fraction of the time Brady spends in preparation for games.
In a recent segment of “First Things First,” seen and heard on FS1, Chris Broussard was confident Brady would be motivated to keep playing and winning if the Bucs have a plan to “reload” (to use a Bucco Bruce Arians word) with a roster that can make a run at a Super Bowl.
Joe believes that can be done.
The most important element is the Bucs have their offensive line intact. Franchise Ryan Jensen and if need be plug in Aaron Stinnie at right guard if Alex Cappa leaves, and then Brady has his security blanket back. Re-sign Chris Godwin and one of Brady’s favorite targets is back.
You can view Broussard’s take on Brady weighing his options in the FS1 video below.
Should Tom Brady retire?
“Tom Brady only wants to play for a team that can legitimately compete for a Super Bowl & that’s how it should be at this stage. If the Bucs aren’t competitive, I don’t think he should play. … But the legacy is ridiculous already.” — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/zw9iOZbyF4
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 25, 2022
January 27th, 2022 at 10:23 am
better offensive and defensive play-calling. We need to reload on the roster.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:28 am
I am very confident the Bucs will do what it takes to keep Brady going next season. Does that mean mortgaging our future? HELL YES it does and as a Buc fan of 40+ years I am 100% ok with it since these past 2 seasons have been so exciting so sign me up for another in exchange for what we have had for the previous 17 or so…. I have faith in Licht to get this done and make another run at ring #3!!
January 27th, 2022 at 10:28 am
You mean the same “security blanket” that kept him safe in the last Rams game – in their home stadium of all things?!! It’s more like Brady has been the O-line’s security blanket the past 2 seasons.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:29 am
If he wins MVP he retires. That would be him going out on top. I think he’s waiting for that. Just a guess
January 27th, 2022 at 10:33 am
Human nature…
EGO & Pride
January 27th, 2022 at 10:34 am
Joe, who would blame Brady if he walks after the complete breakdown of defensive game planning on display Sunday? I have yet to see a convincing defense of Todd Bowles’ game plan, and there are plenty of far smarter football minds who are gobsmacked by the Bucs defensive approach.
Yes, players made mistakes or were unable to overcome their inherent deficiencies. But far too often the wrong players were on the field, or the scheme was not matched to the situation. Great coaches put the players they have in the best possible position succeed, and that didn’t happen on Sunday.
Frustratingly, Bowles has demonstrated that he IS capable of putting together a great plan against tough competition. The question is, why didn’t this happen against the Rams? On a day when the offense was wounded and struggling, matched against a defense perfectly configured to exploit its missing personnel and injuries, the defense failed to rise to the occasion. And this despite the fact that the defense (finally) had most of its pieces back from injury! It’s as if the coaching staff decided to take the week off, just because they had their starters back.
In addition to all the factors you mention above, I suspect that Brady has to be convinced that the 2022 team’s coaching will be as accountable and as hard working as they players evidently are. Otherwise, how can he be confident that the team won’t gack away an opportunity to win through brain dead and stubborn play calling?
January 27th, 2022 at 10:35 am
If he retires a buc I’m also ok with that as a lifelong fan. I’m also very optimistic about big man Kyle Trask. All 6ft 5” 240lb with touch and great pocket awareness. I think people are sleeping on him saying his arm is weak. Dude has Josh Allens body and really nice touch on the football. Especially will all the QB gurus on the Bucs staff. He will have a great o-line to protect him and some stud targets.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:37 am
@ SteveO, we were missing Wirfs and Jensen hobbled… all season that OL was providing GREAT protection for Tom!
January 27th, 2022 at 10:43 am
Arians is a joke. Tom’s not doing this again here. Tom retires or leaves for another team for one last chance. See SF 49ers
January 27th, 2022 at 10:45 am
I love this team having Tom Brady as its QB. But even if he comes back, next year is it. Right? Who knows.
Tom Brady is the reason this team won its second SB. Whatever he decides, God Bless him.
I cannot envision him coming back to not have a shot at 8. So, the longer this goes, the more likely it is they re-sign Godwin, Jensen, Suh, etc. Even if TB retires, those are good moves. It’s not time to jettison good guys to “rebuild.” When you have good players, why let them go?
January 27th, 2022 at 10:46 am
Licht creating some cap magic and bringing back Godwin, Lenny, Jensen, and Gronk would be a damn good start. I watched the Rams go from -37 million in cap space to 40+ million this season, so anything is possible. We’ll pay for it a little bit down the road, but as we all know, we sold our soul for this.
January 27th, 2022 at 10:48 am
I think it all comes down to family bucs have a good front office cap space to make moves if need be I dont think the roster creation is the hangup it’s all about how long he wants to do it. Yeah he is still elite but 44 things have to come to an end at some point. Hope he comes back but wouldnt be surprised if last season was it for tom.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:26 am
I read that Cameron Jordon and Alvin Kamara might be free agents. Do the Bucs have any cap room or interest?
January 27th, 2022 at 11:41 am
Why you keep repeating about sign everyone back? They sign everyone back and it was a worse roster than 2020. If they do it again they would be even worse. They need to try to improve, cut JPP, Suh and other old guys and sign new guys. They didn’t try to improve they d-line and secondary and they loose because of that, now it’s going to cost even more to fix everything. They probably would need to put 100M on dead cap, saints style, to build a great team again.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:42 am
Agree with Buc Wild those four are a good start. Maybe bring safety JW back let Davis walk to expensive sign a vet DB and draft a couple. Sign Suh then draft his replacement.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:44 am
They tried to be cute, used all they draft in ST and even a backup QB. Didn’t sign a DL/EDGE/CB in free agency when it was pretty clear that they could only pressure blitzing and no one could cover.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:49 am
There is NO way Brady comes back unless BA is either gone or they bring in two worthy coordinators. The lackadaisical environment was a nice change year one for Brady and Gronk but that wore off this season when Brady had to basically coach the entire offense and ladder in the season its backups. Screwing off is not in Brady’s DNA and screwing off doesn’t Lombardies.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:55 am
Get rid off Bowles and stack the defense. Veteran CB’s that can cover and a real edge rusher. Not JTS. On the O re-sign Godwin and of course keep Jensen and Gronk. Draft a real speed threat WR that can catch.
Special teams dump Darden and get a real threat K and Give Brady input into the next OC…. And give him more money. Oh and Send Giselle and the kids on a free 6 month trip around the world next season.. lol
January 27th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
so far byron hasn’t signed off in jacksonville if i’m correct…
he might be talking to the bucs about making him the highest paid coordinator in the league, a la todd bowles style…
and what if brady behind closed doors is rallying for him to return to keep continuity…
if brady says i can’t break in a new coordinator, i can’t deal with that – they’ll pay byron to stay – everything revolves around the goat – every darn thing
January 27th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
brady believes strongly in keeping things the same, continuity, and of course adding a weapon or two of his choice
January 27th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Listnfrmafar couldn’t be more correct. Brady doesn’t respect Arians, it’s that simple. The won in spite of Arians last year. Ben doesn’t know why anyone here would defend ole ammonia brain. Brady all but scrapped his offense last year, and it saved the season. Management should force BA’s hand. If he doesn’t retire, they should retire him. Hire someone Brady is familiar with. Billy O’Brien comes to mind. He and Brady worked well together, and Brady could focus on playing QB. Billy understands complimentary football. Get rid of bowels. A team that scores 30 a game, doesn’t need to blitz half the time. What the hell do y’all have to lose? You’re going back to being the yucks without Brady anyway. If he still calls it quits, at least they tried. Cuz with BA calling plays for Kyle Trask, the single season record for interceptions is on the table
January 27th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
I’m with you Posey99… If I’m JL I would act as if Brady is returning. Sign the key guys. Keep drafting well and this is still a VERY competitive roster. If Brady calls it quits, roll with Trask and see what you got. Don’t blow up the roster bc TB12 retires then throw Trask to the wolves. Licht’s job is to put together the best roster possible. Can he bring back all 22 like last year? No. But he can surely keep the key players and keep the Bucs relevant. I totally disagree with the whole total rebuild just because Brady might retire.
January 27th, 2022 at 12:15 pm
Out of the sixteen previous comments I asses five as positive and/or constructive, two negative and destructive and the rest as somewhere in between.
To use BA’s term the Buccaneers remain in the hunt for another Super Bowl win and are thus in a RETOOL mode. I think Brady will return for one last go at it.
However, should Brady retire Arians has recently said he would look “behind door number two” again. He knows that no mater what, any other QB will be a lesser player than Tom. Arians is definitely returning as our head coach.
January 27th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Of course we can win another Super Bowl with Brady…..and we have enough salary cap to put the pieces in place……..
But, it starts with Brady
January 27th, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Many would say better coaching and more discipline from the coaches!
January 27th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Glad to see some others have noticed that Brady does not want to play for Arians anymore. If BA is back, Brady is gone.
January 27th, 2022 at 12:45 pm
I keep saying the Bucs will do anything to keep Brady. I believe whatever he asks for he would get. That’s not what it’s about. It’s going to come down to his family needs from here on out. He’s got money, records that will never be broken, he’s the friggin GOAT, will always be. His family has made many sacrifices to make that career happen, now it’s his turn. Time to coach his kids games, or at least be there to watch them. There is no off season, so don’t say he’s got 6 months to be with his family. When the season does start, it ain’t 9 to 5, it’s 24 7. The dudes done, book it.
January 27th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
He might stay if we retain Godwin, Gronk, and Lenny. But even with that, there’s something intangible that’s missing I think. There’s nothing more he needs to prove individually. But the opportunity to make a selfless gesture, that might be appealing. Like find another wayward soul and giving that person another chance to be all they can be (recall his support for AB). Helping someone else while also being part of something great. To my way of thinking, that could do it.
January 27th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Keeping Brady here, if he still can go for 17 season games, will take TOTALLY different defense, and different DC.
You can’t expect from TB12 @ 45 to score 30+ per game so you can get W.
No way he is coming back with Tooodddd as DC
January 27th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
He certainly wouldn’t come back absent Godwin. Probably need to bring in one more top flight as well. Gronk is mebbe 50/50 coming back, but probably neither Brate nor OJ. Any TE’s in the draft?
January 27th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Need to drum into Brady once you quit you are not coming back ever….. I think he will play until he can’t . as far as family asking him not to play, i think would be a big mistake (if he wants to) he would probably hold that against them for the rest of his life.so what is 1 or 2 more years? Or 1/2 a year if he deteriorates faster
January 27th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
If I were the owner of the Bucs, I will try to convince both the General manager and head coach to freeze their positions for one year and still get their salaries then make Brady the first player-GM-head coach at the same time.
January 27th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
the reload should start with replacing Bowles–whether he gets a job elsewhere -or not….
January 27th, 2022 at 3:31 pm
A MIRACLE
January 27th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I do hope TB decides to come back for one more year along with Gronk. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Foote as DC. Bowles is way overrated.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Everyone knows Brady wants to play. But to be a SB competitor again, the to-do list for this team is long and complex. HC, OC, DC. All of the FAs that Brady wants back. Completely improved D (top 3 level). Plus instant impact draft and FA additions.
Leaving things as they are, with Brady quietly sticking around, having a ho-hum offseason, this team would struggle to make the playoffs.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:40 pm
San Fran dumps Garapolo, they put Lance on the shelf. Brady signs a 1 yr deal for $20mil, Gronk signs for 5.5m with incentives and Godwin goes to San Fran. Samuel, Kindle, Gronk, Godwin = SB
January 27th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Brady would need more than godwin and evans at wr. If one goes down its over
January 27th, 2022 at 7:47 pm
-Tom can expand tb12 and his clothing line to Europe. he’s the face of nfl. he can sell this idea to his wife.
-a farewell tour. imagine the exposure and media attention nfl could get. internationally.
-players will come. it’s like Lord of the rings. they will come and play with the goat one last time.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:05 pm
I believe it’s more than just football that’s making Brady rethink coming back next season. Somehow, it seems like it’s really a family decision that is not even solely because Giselle just won’t have any of watching him get hit. There is something more to it.
But if that hunch is wrong and since all the retirement talk came out before the divisional round, what’s the possibility that this has something to do with the commitment of the coaches to the team. Both OC and DC were already entertaining the idea of leaving the team instead of focusing on an important game ahead. Other than that, he probably also felt responsible for the AB fiasco while also disappointed for not being able to help AB not just be a better player but also a better person.
If anything, Brady’s college life wasn’t all football. Maybe the AB matter is a good reason to check what TB12 was in college for.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:13 pm
The family stuff is BOLOGNA!!! Brady gets six months off a year, and is on the road for what, like ten weeks? Plus, he and superior G have enough money to fly private planes wherever the hell they want in perpetuity. Brady knows it’ll be another clown show with Arians. Do y’all really think Brady, who is at the height of his powers, would retire otherwise? It’s been an open secret how Brady feels about Arians, and his whole stupid staff. Why would your franchise put BA ahead of TB12? He could easily play another two years. Bqen will give you the reason. The ownership is happy with the one superbowl, and is happy to keep cashing revenue sharing checks. See y’all in the superbowl in about 25 years
January 27th, 2022 at 10:29 pm
THANKS, TODD!
January 27th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
Godwin
Jensen
Gronk
Cappa or Stinnie
They are key on the offense.
Defense needs Gholston & Davis resigned and Suh for cheaper and/or target DL in the draft
and another young receiver
January 28th, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Give the GOAT the damn keys.