Have we seen the last of Tom Brady?
It wasn’t the fairy-tale ending to the 2022 NFL season for Tom Brady.
Suffering his first ever defeat to the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC wild-card playoff game was not what Brady envisioned when he reserved his retirement last year for one more run for a championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The superstar who many refer to as the Greatest of All-Time (G.O.A.T) endured one of, if not the worst playoff night of his career, completing just 53 percent of his 66 pass attempts and throwing an interception. His passes were off target, often too short or too high, while the rest of the team couldn’t support in the run game or on defense.
In fact, Monday’s loss summed up Brady’s and the Buccaneers season; well-below par. It has been a disappointing year for the seven-time Super Bowl winner, despite ranking among the top passers in the NFL.
Brady has been able to squeeze a lot out of the Buccaneers for three years. But the recent decline of the team is apparent, and the signs point to an end to his time with Tampa Bay.
Brady still has the efficiency to continue, but not with Tampa Bay
While rumours continue to circulate about his next steps, Brady will not make any hasty decisions about his future. He will go away to think seriously about playing on beyond the age of 45.
It has been a poor year, yet Brady hasn’t been helped by the difficult circumstances in Tampa in 2022. A new year coach, a patchy offensive line and a defense which has surprisingly dropped off in form have contributed to the questionable season performance, which ends in similarly disappointing fashion to the Cowboys.
The Buccaneers are in need of a roster overhaul, and that should include letting Brady go. In his post-match press conference following the defeat to Dallas, Brady expressed an appreciation for the Bucs and thanked local reporters for their work and the respect they had shown him over the last three years.
The Buccaneers are still the best team in their division, but have massively regressed over the past 12 months. Injuries have played a part, but Monday’s playoff defeat feels like it could be the end of their championship window. A split from Tom Brady and building for the future makes sense.
Where could he end up playing next if he does continue?
Brady already has a back-up plan in his pocket, agreeing on a 10-year contract worth a reported $375m to become Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst whenever he decides to retire.
He doesn’t need the money. So one thing is clear, Brady needs to have the right team for him to justify returning for season 24 in 2023.
Teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans have been linked, but a homecoming to the San Francisco 49ers seems the most realistic.
A team simmering with talent and lofty Super Bowl ambitions, this would be the ideal scenario for Brady. Brock Purdy has exceeded expectations filling in at QB this year, but there are still doubts over his long-term potential. And with Jimmy Garoppolo seemingly on his way out and Trey Lance still injured, Brady would slot right in with the Niners.
Would the move make them unquestionably the most dominant side in the NFC going into next season? Undoubtedly.
The 45-year-old has won everything and more in the NFL, yet it is never enough. Yes, Brady might not have anything left to prove for many, but the pull of playing football just seems too appealing to turn down.
Regardless of what happens, if he gets an opportunity at the right team who are in contention, we may not have seen the last of Tom Brady just yet.
