Could the 2022-23 regular season really be Tom Brady’s last in the NFL?
He’s now arrived at his target of playing in the NFL at 45-years-old, but does that mean this is the last time we will see TB12 playing in the NFL?
Despite intense speculation and rumor, reports now suggest that this could well be TB12′s final season in the NFL. If that’s the case, will there be an eigth Super Bowl ring before he does?
Is this in fact Tom Brady’s last season?
When Tom Brady announced his retirement earlier this offseason, reactions from around the world of football and beyond came pouring in. Then, just a few weeks later, the legendary QB ‘unretired’ and declared he was coming back for more. With that, the seven-time Super Bowl champion was once again in the mix with the Buccaneers - albeit with a new coach - and now stands ready to face the Dallas Cowboys in Tampa Bay’s season opener on Sunday night.
- Check it out! Fantasy Football team of the week: NFL 2022 Week 1
Yet, reports now suggest that when the Buccaneers kick off against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL regular season, it could well be the official end of Tom Brady’s career. Now 45, Brady has for quite some time expressed that his intention was to play until that very age. While it’s true, that reports also suggested that there has been no firm stance on that idea, with “emotions still fluid” and in all likelihood, a final decision hinging on if a trophy is clinched or not, it’s certainly starting to look like the writing is on the wall.
What has Tom Brady said about it?
Though one would be right to take Brady’s word with a pinch of salt at this point, it’s worth noting that in the context of his stated desire to focus on family more and his recent negotiation of a deal to join FOX Sports as an analyst, this could very possibly be the end of it all. To that end Brady’s words weren’t at all surprising when discussing the idea of finally calling it quits. “I think we’re all getting one day older at a time,” Brady said earlier this week. “We’re all not sure whether we’re going to be here next year or not, that’s the reality for every player, every coach, every parent. You just never know. We should all take advantage of the opportunity that we have.”
It’s been a mixed bag for Tom Brady recently
With free agency looming for only the second time in his career, Brady has in recent times been linked with moves to other teams. Indeed, the Miami Dolphins were even sanctioned by the league for what was deemed as illegal contact with the QB, during his time with both the Patriots and Buccaneers. For his part, Brady has always publicly maintained an allegiance to the Bucs. That said, it’s clear that the he’s been going through a series of emotional and familial issues recently. Fans will recall, that just this summer Brady took an 11-day break from team affairs and was later understood to be in the Bahamas with his family. Since that time, there have also been reports of a rift with his wife Gisele Bündchen.
As things stand, Brady appears to be back and new Bucs manager Todd Bowles recently claimed that the star QB is “all in.” Where the Bucs themselves are concerned, they will certainly be hoping that’s the case as they are currently the team with the second-best odds to win Super Bowl LVII this season. Can Tom Brady lead the Bucs to glory once again and if so, will it be the last time he does? Regardless of what you think, we’re just happy to be along for the ride as it’s going to be quite a show.