Tom Brady Explains When/Why He’ll Hang It Up
August 23rd, 2021
Tom Brady already advised the world that about 90 percent of what he tells the media isn’t quite honest.
So it’s especially interesting to hear what Brady has to say and guess what’s real and what’s fabricated.
NBC Sports’ insider-in-chief Peter King, the guy who likes to lecture fans and colleagues, was at Buccaneers training camp last week spending all kinds of time with the heavy hitters.
That included 19 minutes with Brady, King explained in his signature Monday column. The subject of leaving the game came up and Brady have his take on waving the white flag.
“I’ll know when the time’s right,” Brady said about retirement. “If I can’t . . . if I’m not a championship-level quarterback, then I’m not gonna play. If I’m a liability to the team, I mean, no way. But if I think I can win a championship, then I’ll play.”
King, who knows Brady personally, seems to think Brady is likely to continue playing past the 2022 season, his final year under contract with Tampa Bay. Man, what a gift that would be, assuming he’s not playing for another team.
If Brady leaves at 2022, King notes, the Bucs owe Brady $23 million in 2023, the result of manipulating the salary cap to accommodate the current roster.
Joe is just so happy this morning that King was left with the impression that Brady will play indefinitely. Yeah, Joe realizes that’s probably Brady wanting his business connections to feel confident that he will be the face of the NFL indefinitely.
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:28 am
“Tom Brady is a right handed Michael Vick”
-Medicated Pete
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:29 am
10 rings
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:35 am
I wonder what bucs going to award him when he retires? Pats for sure going to hang his number and probably build him a statue there.
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:43 am
Back in 2014 New England was blown out by KC 41-14. The consensus opinion was that Brady was too old; that he was finished as a QB. When Brady was asked about retirement, he said, “When I suck, I’ll retire. But I don’t plan on sucking for a long time.”
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:43 am
I think there is a very good chance he retires after this season.
If we win again and go back-to-back, I could see him going out on top with a ridiculous 8 rings.
If this team somehow pulls of the ‘grand miracle’ of running the table and having an undefeated season (odds very against it) and we win it all again… I could definitely see Brady walking off into the sunset with nothing else to accomplishment after going undefeated especially in an expanded 17-game regular season.
If this ‘very hyped’ team of all returned starters UNDERACHIEVES this season, has some struggles, and gets knocked out of the playoffs, I could also see Brady retiring.
I think there are far more possibilities that would make this Tom’s LAST SEASON than there that he will continue playing next year.
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:44 am
I hope he plays several more years. Last of the old guard.
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:56 am
Brady’s shooting for 3…and then he’s done.
August 23rd, 2021 at 11:02 am
Brady always plays for the Rings. One of the reasons he left Patriots, Belichek was trying to win without putting a great team on the field. I’ll just coach them up. Ha ha! GO BUCS!
August 23rd, 2021 at 11:03 am
Brady will retire after winning 10 Superbowls…
August 23rd, 2021 at 11:08 am
For someone who loves football as much as TB it’s going to be hard for him to retire.
August 23rd, 2021 at 11:28 am
I just hope TB stays in Tampa the rest of his career!!!!! That would make my decade!
August 23rd, 2021 at 12:04 pm
He’ll retire after this season.
Just a feeling.
August 23rd, 2021 at 12:18 pm
99 percent BS when Brady retirement comes up.
August 23rd, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Hes going for 11 rings, one for each finger … and one other appendage…
August 23rd, 2021 at 1:21 pm
if he wins the SB this year no way he is not going for 3 in a row.
August 23rd, 2021 at 1:33 pm
I agree @BucsMinisterFuller
August 23rd, 2021 at 2:05 pm
I disagree with BucsMinister and Ocala, if he wins #2 then he goes for a legendary #3.
August 23rd, 2021 at 2:10 pm
“If I can’t . . . if I’m not a championship-level quarterback, then I’m not gonna play. If I’m a liability to the team, I mean, no way.”
__________
Hey JayMiss……. please adopt this philosophy and go play baseball.
After this season of course, cause I can’t wait for all the gifts your gonna give us!
August 23rd, 2021 at 3:41 pm
My predictions based on what happens this year:
SB Win + a perfect season = he’ll retire after this season
SB Win but we have a few losses = he’ll stay, and try to go for the first 3peat ever next year
No SB Win = Depends how close to the SB we got, and how healthy he is after the season…
August 23rd, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Out of what I read so far, I prefer the 11 appendage’s theory.
August 23rd, 2021 at 4:05 pm
Chucky would have cut Brady by now, saying ‘cap hell’ forced his hand, and then he’d use the money to sign an older veteran QB, maybe finally getting Jake Plummer like he always dreamed.
August 23rd, 2021 at 4:20 pm
I’ll take Brady at his word. He said he wanted to play until he was 45, that’s next season. Hope he goes more, but I think he hangs it up after next year.
August 23rd, 2021 at 4:50 pm
10 rings, to rule them all..
August 23rd, 2021 at 8:59 pm
Still can’t believe after one year at the helm he came and helped our team win a freaking Super Bowl !! So awesome and truly legendary
August 23rd, 2021 at 10:55 pm
Let’s take it one season at a time. You have to believe he’s no more than one serious injury away from retirement, and any moderate injury for a 25 year old = serious injury for a 45yo. While that hopefully never happens, the fact is nobody can predict the future.
August 24th, 2021 at 12:05 am
Vick was a scrambling QB who went to prison for illegal dog fighting. TB is nothing like him.
August 24th, 2021 at 9:33 am
Lol 😆🤣😂 why are yall so terrified 😨 if Brady retire after this year?? I don’t wish injury on no body so I’m going to leave that out . But this is a good team the only thing I’m not liking right now is the way they’re doing Trask!! I don’t like the players they got him working with because how is he going to develop playing with those players. They are already messing up with Trask !!!