Will the New England Patriots have to search for a new starting quarterback next year? Apparently, there’s a chance.
Sources close to Tom Brady‘s inner circle revealed that there is a possibility for the five-time Super Bowl champion to walk away from the game and retire if the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII this year down in Atlanta.
One of those sources said,
“You hear him talk, and you watch the Facebook series [Tom vs Time], and it seriously sounds like a guy who is searching for motivation.”
Another pointed out that Brady has once said he wants to play until he’s 45 years old.
“I wouldn’t doubt him. This is a guy who has defied every odd to become the greatest football player of all time. If he says 45, I believe him.”
If the Patriots win and Brady does actually decide to retire next year, it wouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. After all, there is a certain appeal of walking away as a champion. Just ask Peyton Manning and John Elway.
However, with no clear succession plan in place at the quarterback spot, it might not be that easy for Brady to make that final decision. With him gone, the franchise might not be able to continue on their championship ways. And Brady knows that.
When reports swirled this offseason that Brady hadn’t committed to playing in 2018, fans also needed some reassuring. The quarterback’s agent Don Yee then quickly came out with a statement letting everyone know that Brady’s mindset on his career had not changed.
“Tom’s intentions have not changed,” Yee said. “He’s consistently said he’ll play beyond this contract and into his mid-40s, or until he feels he isn’t playing at a championship level. I understand the constant speculation, but this is one point he’s been firm about.”
On the other hand, Brady did confess to Oprah Winfrey this offseason that he does see the end of the road coming.
“I think about it more now than I used to,” he said. “I think I’m seeing that there’s definitely an end coming, sooner rather than later.”
Whether we like it or not, Brady’s retirement will come eventually. All we can do is hope that he’ll get a worthy successor.
