Seven rings and 21 years later, quarterback Tom Brady’s still got it. The sayings go, “Quit while you’re ahead”, “It’s always best to leave on a high note.” If Tom Brady were to retire right now, he’d leave on a symphony— but he may not be ready to leave just yet.
Entering the 2000 NFL draft, Tom Brady was a college student with a slight dad-bod and little promise for a successful NFL career. Nowadays, Brady is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, earning his seventh Super Bowl championship ring on Feb.7, 2021 at Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buccaneers’ victory is the franchise’s second Super Bowl win, their first eighteen years ago. Exceeding expectations and making history, football fans around America are wondering what’s in store for Brady’s future in the NFL.
The Buccaneers’ victory on Feb. 7 is Brady’s largest margin of victory of any of his Super Bowl wins—22 points. That night he made history, joining Peyton Manning as the only two quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl with multiple football franchises. After this past season, Brady is also trailing Manning for the most fourth-quarter comebacks, according to Pro Football Reference, a record he may be determined to beat prior to his retirement.
Brady is nearing 44-years-old, making him one of the oldest quarterbacks in the game. If he isn’t ready to retire now, when will it be his time? How far is he willing to go?
Back in 2017, Brady told Sports Illustrated “I’d like to play until (his) mid-40s.. Then I’ll make my decision.” It seems like Brady is determined to push the limits— even the most elite players in the NFL haven’t had careers as lengthy and victorious as Brady. According to his trainer Alex Guerrero, the only thing standing in between him and his retirement is his commitment, which Brady sure won’t be lacking anytime soon.
In 2019, Guerrero told Sports Radio Network WEEI, “We talk about it all the time. Every year he just adds another year. He goes in and he’s like, ‘Alex, I think I can go like 46 or 47.” Guerrero makes it known that Brady is looking to play out the rest of his career to the best of his ability, evaluating how he feels after each season.
Days after his big win, Brady made remarks via Twitter that may hint he’s not ready to leave just yet. On Feb. 13, TB12 Sports, Brady’s wellness company, tweeted the following:
It’s fair to say that Brady seems motivated and ready to face another year, with his eyes on the prize. #Eyeson8
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