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About the Author: Bailey Adams
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As soon as the Bucs’ 2022 season came to an end with a 31-14 Wild Card loss to the Cowboys last Monday night, the big question became about Tom Brady and his future. Would the seven-time Super Bowl champion retire at the age of 45 like he had always envisioned? Or would he return for his 24th NFL season? If he came back, would he spend a fourth season with Tampa Bay, or would he move on to his third team?
All of those questions will be answered at some point, but that point may not come all that soon. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Saturday morning that Brady plans to take his time before coming to a final decision about his future.
“According to those close to him, Brady wants to head into his few weeks of decision-making time with an open mind,” Rapoport wrote. “He’ll attempt to spend time with his children, allow the emotions to hit him and consider his options.”
Bucs QB Tom Brady and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Rapoport went on to lay out Brady’s options, which of course include returning to the Bucs, playing elsewhere or retiring for the second straight offseason. But the more groundbreaking aspect of Rapoport’s report was what the insider has been hearing from Brady’s Bucs teammates. Based on some of their final interactions before the offseason, it felt to them like Brady was saying goodbye, Rapoport said.
“Yet several players already have a feeling which direction he is leaning. Based on their final interactions with Brady, it felt to them as if Brady was leaving Tampa with no intention to return.
“One said, ‘I’d be surprised if he’s back.’
“Another opined, ‘He sounded like a person saying goodbye for good.'”
The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback also delivered what felt like a parting “thank you” to the media in Tampa following Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas last Monday. He spoke about how welcomed he felt when he arrived and went on to discuss his love for the Bucs organization and how thankful he was for the respect he was given by the media over the last three seasons.
Has Brady Already Decided To Move On From The Bucs?
So, has Brady already said his final goodbye to the Bucs? It’s possible, but it’s also entirely possible that Brady was simply approaching the end of the season with the understanding that he doesn’t know what’s next. He may not know what 2023 and beyond holds for him. If that’s the case, he was likely saying goodbye to his teammates and the media as if it’s the only chance he’ll have to do so.
Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Because, in reality, he may not get another chance. If he retires, there’ll be no more interactions in the locker room – just text messages and phone calls with teammates. If he plays elsewhere in 2023, there won’t be any final press conference with the Tampa media to say goodbye. Last Monday night and the following days were Brady’s last with the 2022 team. With everyone going their separate ways, it’s reasonable to think that he was saying his goodbyes just in case.
If he’s back in Tampa next season, those goodbyes to his teammates will be nothing more than “goodbye for the offseason.” If he wears a Bucs uniform again in 2023, those parting words to the media in his postgame press conference will simply be a message of thankfulness for the journey so far.
