Will Brady Retire? Has he played his last NFL game? (1 Viewer)

[Buckna]

I think he's posturing to either get Arians tossed and hand pick a new head coach or facilitate a trade. Lots of rumors that this year was not all fun and games like last year. Brady didn't look happy during the Rams game . . . he looked very similar in his last game with the Patriots. Wouldn't it be crazy if he ended up with the Giants and McDaniels as his head coach? His wife wants to live in a major city with her involvement in the fashion industry. It may sound crazy, but I could see it happen.

Stranger things have happened, but I can’t imagine he would even think twice about the Giants and their dumpster fire offensive-line.

I would think any team Rodgers has been rumored to would be great fits for Brady if he wants another shot at a ring: the Denver’s, Indy’s of the world for example. Stout run games, stout defenses, good to great offensive weapons, just missing QB’s.

How crazy of an off-season would it be if Wilson, Rodgers, Watson, AND Brady all got traded. I think my head would explode. 

 

[habsfan]

We're definitely just kicking tires but I have to think the reality that "winning the SB is hard" probably resonates a lot more now than it did a year ago and certainly more than two years ago. He's rich, great. That just means he's not trading his precious time for money like most of the rest of us have to. The question for him is, what IS worth trading your time for?

 

[rockaction]

There is a lot of hilarious speculation in here but Tampa being cap strapped because they have to bring OJ Howard and his 8 catches back may be the funniest. 

lolololol

 

[rockaction]

I was thinking about this and I think it's much more likely he forces a trade than retires. I also don't think he'll force a trade and that Tampa will get the band back together one last time, Arians notwithstanding. 

 

[-OZ-]

There is a lot of hilarious speculation in here but Tampa being cap strapped because they have to bring OJ Howard and his 8 catches back may be the funniest. 

if they bring him back it definitely won’t be due to his receiving career to date. 
i will say I’d be quite happy to see him blocking for his old teammate DH. (Assuming they don’t overpay)

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Stranger things have happened, but I can’t imagine he would even think twice about the Giants and their dumpster fire offensive-line.

I would think any team Rodgers has been rumored to would be great fits for Brady if he wants another shot at a ring: the Denver’s, Indy’s of the world for example. Stout run games, stout defenses, good to great offensive weapons, just missing QB’s.

How crazy of an off-season would it be if Wilson, Rodgers, Watson, AND Brady all got traded. I think my head would explode. 

Brady in Indy would probably get another ring.

Similar formula to TB: loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, playing in a butter soft division with JAX & HOU with only the Titans in their way (who have their own QB deficiency). 

The only challenge there is they path through the playoffs since KC, BUF, CIN, BAL & some other very tough teams are in the AFC

Otherwise Indy makes a lot Of sense. 

 

[-OZ-]

Stranger things have happened, but I can’t imagine he would even think twice about the Giants and their dumpster fire offensive-line.

I would think any team Rodgers has been rumored to would be great fits for Brady if he wants another shot at a ring: the Denver’s, Indy’s of the world for example. Stout run games, stout defenses, good to great offensive weapons, just missing QB’s.

How crazy of an off-season would it be if Wilson, Rodgers, Watson, AND Brady all got traded. I think my head would explode. 

not colts, please. 
but watching Brady play for Peyton’s team would be fun. 

 

[Summer Wheat]

Brady had one of his best seasons ever and probably will be MVP so if he steps down it won`t be because he can`t play at a high level anymore.

Had Godwin not blown his knee out and AB not gone haywire, TB would be playing SF this weekend.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

We're definitely just kicking tires but I have to think the reality that "winning the SB is hard" probably resonates a lot more now than it did a year ago and certainly more than two years ago. He's rich, great. That just means he's not trading his precious time for money like most of the rest of us have to. The question for him is, what IS worth trading your time for?

He said it pretty clearly - kids are getting older, he wants to not miss that time with them. Family has always been a huge thing with Brady.  When I first saw the retirement talk bubbling up I thought it was just talk. Then I read his quotes in the OP and he sounds pretty serious about it, and for reasons that I think really matter to him. 

 

[Buckna]

Brady in Indy would probably get another ring.

Similar formula to TB: loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, playing in a butter soft division with JAX & HOU with only the Titans in their way (who have their own QB deficiency). 

The only challenge there is they path through the playoffs since KC, BUF, CIN, BAL & some other very tough teams are in the AFC

Otherwise Indy makes a lot Of sense. 

Agreed, it’s the same thinking that makes you wonder about Rodgers. He’s been linked heavily to Denver but does he want to go to a team in the same division as Mahomes right now?

There are certainly some good NFC candidates too like WFT, but they aren’t quite the single missing QB piece like Denver or Indy.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Brady had one of his best seasons ever and probably will be MVP so if he steps down it won`t be because he can`t play at a high level anymore.

Had Godwin not blown his knee out and AB not gone haywire, TB would be playing SF this weekend.

I’m still not sure TB would have gotten it done since they took a lot of hits to the OL & They’ve been shaky in the secondary all year. They woulda likely performed better than they did, but I don’t see the slam dunk you do. Game of attrition. 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Just checked the voting for the 1st time since I voted and man - it is allllll over the map. I don’t think I’ve seen a less cohesive poll. 

 

[Summer Wheat]

I’m still not sure TB would have gotten it done since they took a lot of hits to the OL & They’ve been shaky in the secondary all year. They woulda likely performed better than they did, but I don’t see the slam dunk you do. Game of attrition. 

You are right.  TB did absorb many key injuries this season to the OL and defensive backfield but losing Godwin was huge, having AB as a third WR was also big.  Then that opens everything up for Gronk as well.

 

[Anarchy99]

He said it pretty clearly - kids are getting older, he wants to not miss that time with them. Family has always been a huge thing with Brady.  When I first saw the retirement talk bubbling up I thought it was just talk. Then I read his quotes in the OP and he sounds pretty serious about it, and for reasons that I think really matter to him. 

This may be new for the Tampa version of Tom, but he has said similar things in the past when he was going year to year in NE. Maybe this time around is different, but it's not like this is the first time he's said wife / kids / family were really big things in his life. His response was to not attend anything voluntary as far as off-season stuff with NE. But as come out since, a lot of that had to do with a deteriorating relationship and unhappiness with NE.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This may be new for the Tampa version of Tom, but he has said similar things in the past when he was going year to year in NE. Maybe this time around is different, but it's not like this is the first time he's said wife / kids / family were really big things in his life. His response was to not attend anything voluntary as far as off-season stuff with NE. But as come out since, a lot of that had to do with a deteriorating relationship and unhappiness with NE.

Facts. The one thing I saw that was new was the comment about his wife seeing him get hit out there, and how much it effects her.

That’s one part that makes me think it might be for real. 

no family discussion can change that, IMO.

still might play, but that’s a bug deal, IMO.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

You are right.  TB did absorb many key injuries this season to the OL and defensive backfield but losing Godwin was huge, having AB as a third WR was also big.  Then that opens everything up for Gronk as well.

Oh for sure. The Rams secondary is good, but not as good as TB made them look in that game. I’ve never seen Brady so tentative / miss open WR, and part of that was not trusting their fall-back options. I can’t remember a game with so many 3 & outs. And at home. That was ugly. 

 

[sho nuff]

Strongly Implied was “now”, since I quoted the interview where he’s talking about retiring this year. 

Obviously he will retire at some point. C’mon. 

Edited the topic title for clarity though. 

Oh I know...as I said...voted 30% because I understood the implication...just joked about about the other.

 

[Anarchy99]

Facts. The one thing I saw that was new was the comment about his wife seeing him get hit out there, and how much it effects her.

That’s one part that makes me think it might be for real. 

no family discussion can change that, IMO.

still might play, but that’s a bug deal, IMO.

She's said this before. It's the same information coming out at the same time of the seasonal football cycle as it did in NE after their last game of the year. Giselle has made similar comments in-season, in the off season, off the cuff in interviews, etc.

The difference is now he is 44 instead of 42 . . . or 40 . . . or 38, out whenever. The other difference is this time around it's more national news than news concentrated in the Northeast. IMO, Brady would not have signed an extension and talked up playing 5 more years if he didn't intend to keep playing. If he was seriously planning to retire, he most likely would have kept the contract he had, kept his mouth shut, and simply said he hadn't thought much beyond this season.

Not in this thread, but in others, there have been deeper discussions on Brady. He has been beating the drum to promote his TB12 brand and conditioning program for years, saying that this will allow him to play until he is 45. That's a huge part of his marketing and promotional campaign (and lots of top athletes now have either signed on or emulate TB's program). It would seem almost like a cop out for him to get this far and then not play it out for another season (especially when he led the league in multiple passing categories and will get strong consideration for MVP).

That's just my thinking out loud. Maybe he will wake up one day and say he's had enough, the desire isn't there anymore, and he hangs up his cleats.

 

[Ned]

I think he's posturing to either get Arians tossed and hand pick a new head coach or facilitate a trade. Lots of rumors that this year was not all fun and games like last year. Brady didn't look happy during the Rams game . . . he looked very similar in his last game with the Patriots. Wouldn't it be crazy if he ended up with the Giants and McDaniels as his head coach? His wife wants to live in a major city with her involvement in the fashion industry. It may sound crazy, but I could see it happen.

DUDE!!!!!!   :X   :X   :X    :X   

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

She's said this before. It's the same information coming out at the same time of the seasonal football cycle as it did in NE after their last game of the year. Giselle has made similar comments in-season, in the off season, off the cuff in interviews, etc.

The difference is now he is 44 instead of 42 . . . or 40 . . . or 38, out whenever. The other difference is this time around it's more national news than news concentrated in the Northeast. IMO, Brady would not have signed an extension and talked up playing 5 more years if he didn't intend to keep playing. If he was seriously planning to retire, he most likely would have kept the contract he had, kept his mouth shut, and simply said he hadn't thought much beyond this season.

Not in this thread, but in others, there have been deeper discussions on Brady. He has been beating the drum to promote his TB12 brand and conditioning program for years, saying that this will allow him to play until he is 45. That's a huge part of his marketing and promotional campaign (and lots of top athletes now have either signed on or emulate TB's program). It would seem almost like a cop out for him to get this far and then not play it out for another season (especially when he led the league in multiple passing categories and will get strong consideration for MVP).

That's just my thinking out loud. Maybe he will wake up one day and say he's had enough, the desire isn't there anymore, and he hangs up his cleats.

All possible. I do recall at 40 or 41 he said he “wanted to play until he was 44”, which, he now is.

Not sure if significant or just another Brady-ism.

He’s been getting up from sacks a lot slower this year. I imagine it’s less fun taking hits at 44 though. 

 

[IHEARTFF]

Just checked the voting for the 1st time since I voted and man - it is allllll over the map. I don’t think I’ve seen a less cohesive poll. 

you gave us too many choices

people suck with too many choices

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

you gave us too many choices

people suck with too many choices

I recall I once did a “25/50/75/100” poll and people complained there weren’t enough options, so….  

 

[Anarchy99]

All possible. I do recall at 40 or 41 he said he “wanted to play until he was 44”, which, he now is.

Not sure if significant or just another Brady-ism.

He’s been getting up from sacks a lot slower this year. I imagine it’s less fun taking hits at 44 though. 

Brady was slow to get up from hits his last year in NE, but he actually was hurt, didn't want to be there, and the offense had plenty of limitations. From what I have seen this year, when Brady seemed slow to get up, I think it was because he didn't love the play call, they were having an off game, or they had guys out of the lineup that messed up the continuity of the offense and their ability to move the football. Like all players at the end of the season, maybe he has some bumps and bruises and tweaked something along the way. He certainly looked like he was going to go postal when they got shut out by the Saints after 4 sacks and 0 points. A Microsoft Tablet was sacrificed by Brady in that game.

Maybe there is more bubbling under the surface than has come out, but it will be interesting to see how things play out.

 

[IHEARTFF]

I recall I once did a “25/50/75/100” poll and people complained there weren’t enough options, so….  

not knocking you, just saying there is some research done that too many options is paralyzing to us

 

[Anarchy99]

DUDE!!!!!!   :X   :X   :X    :X   

My point was that Brady could try to end up in a new environment and bring in both coaches and players to his new team. Look at all the teams with unsettled QB situations heading into next year . . . MIA, PIT, CLE, IND, HOU, DEN, WAS, NYG, GB, DET, NO, ATL, CAR, SEA, SF. That's almost half the league. He could change the fate of a franchise for one year . . . he did it in Tampa.

 

[ffmail4me]

You would think it would be hard to walk away from 25 mil next year, and knowing he's still one of the best in the game with a good team (that will be better with Godwin back and a new "AB" to take over the 3rd WR role. 

 

[Anarchy99]

You would think it would be hard to walk away from 25 mil next year, and knowing he's still one of the best in the game with a good team (that will be better with Godwin back and a new "AB" to take over the 3rd WR role. 

Brady doesn't need the money. He could afford to play for free. Chances are Godwin probably won't be back. He was franchised this year, so franchising him next year would cost them almost $20 million for a guy that just blew out his knee. They also have plenty of other guys that need contracts. The point being, Tampa may not have everyone back and may not be as good next year.

 

[Gally]

I recall I once did a “25/50/75/100” poll and people complained there weren’t enough options, so….  

That just shows that people like to complain and suck when there are too many choices....

 

[The Duff Man]

A lot needs to go right to win a Super Bowl. They are sitting at +1000 right now which is implied odds around 9%. 

There is zero doubt he wants another ring.  The question is does he want to sacrifice another year of his life when he could be doing something else for a 9% chance at another ring. 

This season has shown him he can be the MVP and still not get one. Next year could be the same. Why go through that?  I voted 80%

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I mean, one can still extrapolate data from this poll...so not completely useless. 

31 respondents believe there's a 0-30% chance Brady retires. That represents the majority of the 57 votes.  

 

[Grahamburn]

As a Giants fan I would have no idea how to process this. 

It's ludicrous to even suggest it.

 

[rockaction]

I mean, one can still extrapolate data from this poll...so not completely useless. 

31 respondents believe there's a 0-30% chance Brady retires. That represents the majority of the 57 votes.  

32. I just voted in that category. It's hard to imagine him walking away like this. Something's up for sure, but it sounds like he's leveraging the situation. 

And Anarchy99 is right, IMO. I think when he was disgusted this year, he didn't like either they play call or the communication between he and the receivers. He's not comfy with five-seven step drops. He wants it out quick. Arians does not do that. 

Add up the tea leaves, maybe. 

 

[JohnnyU]

Just sayin, Nashville is a great city and Tom and Mike get along great. Tannehill for Tom trade? 

….or maybe he retires.  He’s accomplished everything he can in the sport and perhaps he wants to spend more time with his family and set out on new adventures.

 

[Anarchy99]

It's ludicrous to even suggest it.

Again, my overarching point was to connect the dots. Brady may want to get out of Tampa. Giselle wants to be in NY. The Patriots have multiple current or former head coaches available. Brady's fight in NE was with BB. Maybe it's somewhere else and not NY. But Brady certainly could have a role in a franchise picking a coach and playing Pied Piper to help bring in some ring chasers as free agents as well. There are some teams with talented players out there. Maybe he tries to find one, maybe he doesn't, maybe he just checks out and retires.

 

[Grahamburn]

Again, my overarching point was to connect the dots. Brady may want to get out of Tampa. Giselle wants to be in NY. The Patriots have multiple current or former head coaches available. Brady's fight in NE was with BB. Maybe it's somewhere else and not NY. But Brady certainly could have a role in a franchise picking a coach and playing Pied Piper to help bring in some ring chasers as free agents as well. There are some teams with talented players out there. Maybe he tries to find one, maybe he doesn't, maybe he just checks out and retires.

I'm not saying he won't try to force a trade to another team, but he's not going to one that can't protect him and also doesn't have outside weapons at WR.  Come on.

The Bucs can also still restructure several contracts if they want to create massive amounts of cap space. 

 

[Anarchy99]

….or maybe he retires.  He’s accomplished everything he can in the sport and perhaps he wants to spend more time with his family and set out on new adventures.

To play devil's advocate, we have said the same thing every off season for years. At some point he will retire, but there really isn't anything different going on now than other off seasons. He has frequently said he will stop playing when he sucks. He clearly doesn't suck.

I get the sentiment that he may finally decide to spend more time with the family, but I am pretty sure their version of family time is way different than most people's version of family time. Maybe Brady has been yearning to have daily interaction with his kids, drive them to school, take them to practices, help them with homework, buy them new clothes, etc. I'm guessing that's probably not what he wants, but that's just a guess. I am sure he would like to spend SOME more time with everyone. But he's not about to give up his business interests, he's still going to do endorsements and appearances, Giselle is still going to fly to wherever for her businesses and fashion weeks, etc. They won't be home every night for dinner. Maybe he would be happy just getting the first day of practice off each week, who knows? Certainly, he will do whatever he wants and what he thinks is best, but IMO he will be just as active in something else than he currently is with football.

 

[Anarchy99]

I'm not saying he won't try to force a trade to another team, but he's not going to one that can't protect him and also doesn't have outside weapons at WR.  Come on.

The Bucs can also still restructure several contracts if they want to create massive amounts of cap space. 

I don't see Arians and Brady co-existing next year, so something will have to give.

 

[Grahamburn]

I don't see Arians and Brady co-existing next year, so something will have to give.

Easy decision if that's the case. 

 

[Capella]

I don't see Arians and Brady co-existing next year, so something will have to give.

Where are you getting this from? There is nothing to it at all, you’re just making this up out of thin air. Zero respectable tampa journalists have even hinted at a fracture.  

 

[-OZ-]

….or maybe he retires.  He’s accomplished everything he can in the sport and perhaps he wants to spend more time with his family and set out on new adventures.

Sure. I’m just saying if he wanted to go to a team with a coach he likes and have the best chance to go back to the Super bowl, TN is a strong candidate. NO might be even better but that seems really unlikely. 

 

[BoltNlava]

Sure. I’m just saying if he wanted to go to a team with a coach he likes and have the best chance to go back to the Super bowl, TN is a strong candidate. NO might be even better but that seems really unlikely. 

This didn't age well ..LOL

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Where are you getting this from? There is nothing to it at all, you’re just making this up out of thin air. Zero respectable tampa journalists have even hinted at a fracture.  

Arians and the Bucs have given him everything he's asked for. Including a return of all starting 22+ a few others and so I seriously doubt there needs to be mass changes for Brady staying on another year. 

I do think the Bucs need some more juice at pass rush, JPP seemed to rarely have his name called vs prior seasons, just my opinion. 

I just checked, 2 and half sacks and like none the 2nd half of the season, pitiful, they need some serious help and injection into the Edge areas after Barrett who also seemed a little off at times. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Where are you getting this from? There is nothing to it at all, you’re just making this up out of thin air. Zero respectable tampa journalists have even hinted at a fracture.  

In a thread about opinions and speculation, you want iron clad links to articles that have not been written because there are none? The Arians angle has been discussed a lot on Boston sports talk. Maybe the Boston media guys are butt hurt. Maybe they are full of BS. But some of the things that were discussed were Brady not always agreeing with the play calls, Brady having games when the protection wasn't there because the play required time he didn't have and he got creamed, the AB fiasco, and Arians occasionally calling out Brady in a presser. There were a couple of reports of some dissention in the locker room in Tampa at the end of the season, but I'm guessing that was just related to AB fiasco.

The guys on the radio explored why Brady might not want to stay in Tampa, and the salary cap situation, the number of impending free agents, and his overall demeanor were given as possible reasons TB might not want to return. Maybe they are desperate for listeners and were completely inventing reasons that don't exist, but they spent a lot of time running down teams TB could play for, and one of which they zeroed in on was SF.

Does that make that a news item? Probably not. Does that make any of that true? Nope. But the way the conversation went, it at least seemed like there could be a plausible path for Brady to continue playing somewhere other than Tampa. There were some counter arguments as well (just moved there and got a big house, warm climate, likely still a competitive team, etc.) It could also have been people just stirring the pot or just being silly. But they were reviewing all the different scenarios where Brady was most likely to come back next year, either in the Bucs or some place else.

 

[-OZ-]

This didn't age well ..LOL

Yeah, I did not see that coming. 
there’s still plenty of talent there with the right coach. 
I’ve been ignoring cap issues but that seems significant in NO. Someone will take on that rebuild. 

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I say 0% because he is addicted to the admiration, attention and competition.

He's easily the GOAT, everyone knows it. 

He's proven his worth again by winning a Super Bowl with a different team.

There's no reason to keep playing other than my first line above.

I think he keeps playing until he is very bad and starts getting cut from teams. And that will be a shame. 

 

[Dr. Octopus]

How do you know Lance isn't ready?  Besides, they have too much draft capital in him and I doubt they want to squander his rookie contract with him holding a clip board.

I don’t think Brady ends up there, but they still have Lance under contact for four more seasons. So if Brady took one they’d still have him under a rookie deal for three more seasons.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I think he keeps playing until he is very bad and starts getting cut from teams. And that will be a shame. 

OMG, where do some of you come up with this stuff?  Please keep us posted when he "starts getting cut from teams". 

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I don’t think Brady ends up there, but they still have Lance under contact for four more seasons. So if Brady took one they’d still have him under a rookie deal for three more seasons.

That’s solid math. 

 

[Mr. Mojo]

OMG, where do some of you come up with this stuff?  Please keep us posted when he "starts getting cut from teams". 

It won't be next season, but if he plays 2-4 more years....

(we'll see if my prediction is too far out there)   

 

[NE_REVIVAL]

Where are you getting this from? There is nothing to it at all, you’re just making this up out of thin air. Zero respectable tampa journalists have even hinted at a fracture.  

In a thread about opinions and speculation, you want iron clad links to articles that have not been written because there are none? The Arians angle has been discussed a lot on Boston sports talk. Maybe the Boston media guys are butt hurt. Maybe they are full of BS. But some of the things that were discussed were Brady not always agreeing with the play calls, Brady having games when the protection wasn't there because the play required time he didn't have and he got creamed, the AB fiasco, and Arians occasionally calling out Brady in a presser. There were a couple of reports of some dissention in the locker room in Tampa at the end of the season, but I'm guessing that was just related to AB fiasco.

The guys on the radio explored why Brady might not want to stay in Tampa, and the salary cap situation, the number of impending free agents, and his overall demeanor were given as possible reasons TB might not want to return. Maybe they are desperate for listeners and were completely inventing reasons that don't exist, but they spent a lot of time running down teams TB could play for, and one of which they zeroed in on was SF.

Does that make that a news item? Probably not. Does that make any of that true? Nope. But the way the conversation went, it at least seemed like there could be a plausible path for Brady to continue playing somewhere other than Tampa. There were some counter arguments as well (just moved there and got a big house, warm climate, likely still a competitive team, etc.) It could also have been people just stirring the pot or just being silly. But they were reviewing all the different scenarios where Brady was most likely to come back next year, either in the Bucs or some place else.

I think your Patriots analysis over the years has been pretty good but with Brady for whatever reasons, not so much. I didn't see much of what you speculated on earlier in this thread. Yeah the radio talking heads say a lot of things, they need to attract listeners by saying provocative things, but if you repeat negative stuff (as you have done at times with brady over the years) you are at least giving everyone the impression you think there is truth there.

I have supported the guy since day one and you as much as anyone know I have been right more often than wrong. Lots of retirement speculation over the last several years and it never concerned me, I had zero doubt he would keep playing. Maybe its the covid hell\depression, but this time I am genuinely concerned that he might. I don't believe there is any riff with the coaches, but I saw a team go all in for another year, struggle mightily with injuries and fall well short. I think he saw that too and knows if he keeps playing and stays in Tampa its going to be a grind. 

Maybe he decides to go to another team, but I don't think so. He is 44 now and I believe he cares deeply about his aging parents, kids and family and something is telling me now is the time. I will be heartbroken, I know its just a stupid game but I love the guy, he's been a bright light in my life for over 20 years. As I get older and lose childhood friends like I did recently, I can't help but be reminded of my own mortality. I want him to be puff the magic dragon and play forever, but he is little jackie paper just like the rest of us. Played his last game? Say it aint so, say it aint so....