No matter if he retires or plays, Tom Brady is the pinnacle of what a passing QB should be.
Since being drafted into the NFL in 2000, Tom Brady has been what some might call the road map to success. He has achieved so much, including being a 7x Super Bowl champ, 5x Super Bowl MVP, 3x NFL MVP, 2x NFL OPoY, and participating in an astonishing 15 Pro Bowls over a career spanning two decades. He also set the records for most completions in a season (490) and most pass attempts in a season (733) this season alone.
With all those accolades, why would you keep playing? Why risk injury to keep at a sport most athletes only play for less than ten years?
What a way to come into a new team! But, also, at what cost?
Brady stated that he had knee discomfort for most of the 2020 season and would need minor surgery. Usually, this is the first sign of decline for a QB that’s been playing too long. But despite that, he took Tampa Bay to the playoffs yet again. This time they lost to the eventual Super Bowl-winning LA Rams.
That’s when it happened. BRADY RETIRED. Some thought the story was over, and he would ride off into the sunset with his golden jacket. Forty days later, he reversed course and returned to Bucs, ending his short break from football. Then, this season Brady ran straight to the playoffs again, but for the first time in nearly a decade, he lost back-to-back playoff games.
Now the decision comes–the decision to hang up his helmet or give it one more go, one more chance to hoist the Lombardi and thank his…well…that’s the part of the story everyone is forgetting.
Did the home situation affect Brady’s play? Not really, but that doesn’t mean that issue won’t weigh heavily on his impending decision. Brady says he is “considering” his options, but the league buzz suggests he’ll be suiting up one more time. Of course, that brings the question of the color of his uniform.
I’ll break down my theory for you. Ex-Wife Bundchen lives next door, so that a move wouldn’t make sense with his relationship with his kids. So, that means Tom could remain in Tampa Bay for one more year. By not relocating, he can focus on the things that need work. But my thinking is that he will retire. One reason is Brady has a contract with Fox Sports (10 years/$ 375 million) that goes into effect once he retires. No camps or practices, and no more two-a-days. No stress to perform week after week.
It’s time to straighten out his life that has needed straightening. Consider, too, that Brady is a spiritual being, even if he doesn’t know what to label it. So, by retiring, Brady can focus on more important things and stay close to NFL football.
No matter if he retires or plays, Tom Brady is the pinnacle of what a passing QB should be!
