Curious though, what is your percentage Joe? (Don't think anyone has asked you yet)
Thanks. I'd say 5%. I think people are massively overlooking several things.
- Brady's shown us he's in a different time now. For a guy who thrives on preparation, taking 10 days off in August for an unexplained absence with a new coach and star WR is shocking. A snap decision to retire and then unretire is extremely non Bradylike.
- Society is different now. It's a good change, but no longer do we praise the guy who fights through everything to go to work. If you're sick or have family obligations or real things like that, we're way more understanding about missing work. When my son was born 28 years ago, I got 12 hours of paternity leave. That's not how it is now. Again, rightly so.
- Depending on how beat up he is by Week 10, it's likely the smart game theory move. We're in uncharted waters for a player this old to be this good. 2 weeks off and avoiding a European flight against a likely terrible team is likely the smart play.
- Of course he cares about his image, but I believe he puts a Super Bowl at the very top priority. And it's not hard to make a case skipping a game here could increase his chances to win another super bowl.
And for sure, it would never be presented this way as he's just skipping. It'll be a shoulder injury reported in Week 8 where he's probable. And week 9 he reports he's not feeling right and the best thing for team is he shut it down for 10 days yada yada.
Now of course there are tons of reasons not to do it. That's why I'd say 95% he doesn't do it. But I find it fascinating some people think there's near 0% chance.