Tom Brady’s ex-Patriots friends do not imagine Buccaneers QB is definitely retiring from NFL, per report

Tom Brady revealed on his “Let’s Go!” podcast this week that he is “tremendous content material and glad” together with his choice to retire following the 2021 NFL season. However the former Buccaneers and Patriots quarterback added that he plans to take his subsequent steps “day-to-day” and stated “nothing’s promised for us,” echoing the contemplative nature of earlier feedback on the present, by which he refused to rule out a future comeback. Behind the scenes, a few of Brady’s former Patriots friends imagine the QB nonetheless desires to play, in keeping with NFL Media’s Mike Giardi, and is not truly retiring earlier than the 2022 marketing campaign.

“I’ve talked to a few individuals who had been with Brady in Foxboro, know him very effectively, they usually stated, ‘I do not imagine for a second that he is achieved,'” Giardi stated. 

“Lots of people really feel like (Brady) was virtually compelled in that path (to retire),” Giardi added in regards to the QB’s postseason announcement, which got here after preliminary denials from his personal camp, “and does not wanna go in that path simply but.”

Brady himself has countered that notion by publicly expressing a want to spend time with household and pursue different ventures outdoors of soccer, however he has additionally left the door open for a return. A number of former teammates, together with Patriots operating again Brandon Bolden and Buccaneers tight finish Rob Gronkowski, have already predicted the QB will come again.

Brady is formally beneath contract with the Buccaneers for yet another season, until Tampa Bay releases him after June 1 to save lots of 2022 wage cap area (it may additionally place him on the reserve/retired listing to release area). However Giardi added that “some individuals who know him very effectively” imagine that Brady, who has already praised the Rams‘ aggressive method en path to profitable Tremendous Bowl LVI, would take into account one other relocation if/when he comes again.

“The scenario in Tampa — they ran it again final yr, they did not win a title,” Giardi reported. “Now, there’s some cap considerations. Can they create all people again? It does not appear that is gonna be the case. Perhaps, simply perhaps, Tom Brady is trying elsewhere and saying, ‘I am unable to win a title right here, however perhaps I can win one elsewhere.’ … He didn’t shut the door on taking part in soccer.”