For years, Tom Brady told the world that if he could, he would play until he was 50 years old. But following the 2021-22 season, his 22nd season in the NFL, reports are claiming that Brady is making the decision to step away from the game at 44 years old.
Brady began his incredible journey as one of the best quarterbacks in the league when the New England Patriots drafted him in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft. He was 199th pick that year.
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Twenty-two years ago, experts may have argued that Brady wouldn’t become the greatest to ever play the game, instead maybe project a snap or two as Drew Bledsoe. But following a scary hit during the second game of the 2001 season, Brady took Bledsoe’s place, and as it’s been said the rest is sports history.
While Brady hasn’t formally announced his decision to retire, yet. Pro Football Talk reports that the announcement is predicted to come soon.
“Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, citing ‘several sources who are within Brady’s inner circle,’ explains that these sources anticipate Brady ‘most likely will reveal his future plans in the coming days.'”
How soon is soon though? Well according to Canfora, Brady wants the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to have full use of this off-season to prepare for his replacement. However, he also doesn’t want his decision to retire to upstage the four teams still playing for a spot in Super Bowl LVI.
Meaning Tom Brady’s retirement announcement could come as soon as February 14.
During his iconic and legendary career, Brady played 20 seasons with the New England Patriots before making a surprising move to Tampa Bay for the last two. While the quarterback for the Patriots, Brady led his team to 9 Super Bowls winning six of them. And during his first year with the Buccaneers, Brady led them to his 10th Super Bowl appearance and 7th Super Bowl win.
Over the last 22 years, Brady has thrown for 84,520 yards and accounts for 624 touchdowns. Brady played his last game against the Los Angeles Rams where the game came down to the last minutes. Ultimately, the Rams got the best of the Bucs.
So what is next for Tom Brady? Well, that obviously remains to be seen. However, despite his focus of becoming a Hall of Fame quarterback being at the forefront of the past 22 years, Brady has always been a family man.
Now, he can lean into his role of being a husband and father of three a little bit more now that he’s got a bit more free time on his hands. Are you surprised to hear Brady is gearing up for retirement?
