Tom Brady understands there is interest in his future amid rumors that the 44-year-old is finally considering retirement.
The Buccaneers defender gave a brief update on what his future holds in an Instagram post on Tuesday – specifically he has no updates. Brady, whose second season with the Buccaneers ended in a team-wide defeat to the Rams, said he was just contemplating an “incredibly rewarding” season in Tampa Bay.
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“I understand that at this stage in my career there will be interest in my future whenever a season ends, but this week all that’s on my mind is gratitude. that I have for this team and the fans who have supported us throughout the year,” Brady said in his post. “This year has been incredibly rewarding personally and professionally and I appreciate it very much. everyone who has gone to great lengths to help our team achieve so much.”
Brady has a contract with the Buccaneers until the end of the 2022 season.
Rumors began swirling Sunday morning that Brady – who would later that day end his 22nd year in the NFL with a loss – would consider hanging up for good after the 2021 campaign, regardless of whether the Bucs return as Super or not. Bowl champion. Among the reasons listed for the possibility of retirement: focusing on non-football projects, such as movies and clothing lines, and spending more time with family.
Indeed, Brady confirmed that his family will play a key role in whether he decides to return to competition in 2022.
“Playing football, I get a lot of fun and I love it. But without playing football, now there is a lot of fun for me too,” he said. “As I get older, the best thing is, football is extremely important in my life and it means a lot to me and I care a lot about what we are trying to accomplish as a player. the way I am a team and I care a lot about me Teammates The difference now that I’m older is that now I have kids too and I care a lot about them too.
“It hurt (Gisele Bundchen) to see me get beaten up out there,” Brady said, “And she deserved what she needed from me as a husband and my children deserved what I was. they need from me as a father.”
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Brady has previously said he plans to play out his contract with the Buccaneers, which will be his Age 45 season in 2022. He has even hinted that physically he could be Play until the age of 50.
That said, it’s uncertain whether the outcome of Sunday’s game will affect Brady’s decision to return for another season. He also said that he would rather end the season in a loss than not play at all:
“As much as it hurts to lose,” he said, “it’s much more enjoyable to be in the arena than not to be in the arena.”
In the end, the person who can best determine what the future holds for Brady… is Brady. For now, it might be a mystery to him.
