Tom Brady’s 44-year-old season has officially come to an end. Speculation enters as to whether it was his final season as an NFL player.
Amid reports earlier Sunday that Brady’s future is “up in the air,” the Buccaneers quarterback did not commit after Tampa Bay’s 30-27 loss to the Rams in the NFC divisional round. . He said that he was focused only on the game.
“I haven’t given it much thought, so we’ll take it day by day and see where we are,” Brady said.
Brady said he wasn’t thinking it might be his last game when he was on the field, he was just focused on trying to get the win.
“Honestly, guys, I’m thinking about this game and I’m not thinking about anything five minutes from now,” he said.
CBS Sports, ESPN and NFL Media were among those reporting before the game that the team was preparing for life after Brady following the Bucs’ season finale and that Brady was considering retiring. Brady has said in the past that he wanted to play until he was at least 45 years old, which would be the 2022 season. Brady is signed through 2022.
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said after the game that Brady’s future hinges on the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“That’s up to Tom, like all veteran players are,” Arians said.
In Brady’s first season with Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl 55, giving Brady a record seventh Super Bowl ring. He was also named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time in his career.
Brady finished the 2021 season with a league-leading 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes, his best completion percentage since his 16-0 season with the Patriots in 2007.
One of his favorite targets since coming to Tampa Bay, wide receiver Mike Evans, said he has nothing to say to Brady about trying to convince him to stay at least another season.
“He’s motivated. He knows what he wants,” Evans said. “Hopefully we’ll have him back next year.”