Since Tom Brady’s return to the Bucs after a brief retirement, speculation has run rampant about a possible extension. The 44-year old quarterback has just one year remaining on his deal with Tampa Bay. Brady is expected to become a free agent following the 2022 season. At the league meetings in Palm Beach, FL, Bucs GM Jason Licht didn’t comment much on a possible extension.

“We’re just happy that we have him back,” Licht said. “We’ll just see where it goes from here. We’re just happy that he’s going to be playing for us this year. We’ll see where it goes.”

After being an MVP candidate last year, Brady will play his third season in Tampa Bay this fall. While the odds remain high that the Bucs will want him back for 2023, the Pro Bowler will be 45 in August and just retired two months ago. There’s certainly plenty of reason to be financially prudent when eyeing an extension with Brady. The Bucs would love to avoid being saddled with cap restrictions if Brady retires again next offseason.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

And from Brady’s perspective, the opportunity to choose where to end his career is certainly valuable. If he even wants to play beyond 2022, of course. In Palm Beach, Licht responded to a question about Brady’s thoughts on free agency.

“You’d probably have to ask him,” Licht said when asked if being a free agent would mean something to Brady. “Once again, we’re excited we have him back this year. We’ll see where it goes.”

Pewter Report has previously reported that no extension for Brady is imminent. There’s a lot of logic for both sides in holding off on an extension right now. Expectations are sky-high for the 2022 season. If things go according to plan, the Bucs will have plenty of leverage to entice Brady to return to Tampa Bay next offseason.