NFL teams believed Tom Brady could still deliver a franchise success if he had shunned retirement to return in 2023, it has been claimed.
On Wednesday, Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after 23 seasons. He won seven Super Bowls over an illustrious career that spanned two decades with the New England Patriots - with whom he led a historic dynasty alongside head coach Bill Belichick and owner Rob Kraft - and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 45-year-old confirmed his decision in a video posted to social media. It comes exactly one year after he announced his retirement for the first time - only to reverse it 40 days later.
His 2022 season didn’t exactly go to plan as Brady’s Buccaneers were comprehensively defeated 31-14 by the Dallas Cowboys to end his 23rd NFL season at the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs. As he left the field, Brady doffed his cap to the fans and kissed his parents before disappearing down the Raymond James Stadium tunnel, suggesting he was set to walk away.
However, it appears many NFL franchises were caught off guard by the ‘significant’ news. NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggested several teams were monitoring Brady and were set to make a move for him once he announced his intention to return for the 2023 season.
“For Tom Brady, he’s 45 years old so obviously one of the questions was could he still do it?” Rapoport said on Good Morning Football. “I know there were several teams who are in need of a quarterback this offseason who were evaluating and looking at the tape last year.
“Obviously, the Bucs struggled a little bit more than we expected, but teams thought he could still play, and thought he could be good enough with his arm where it is to still be able to get out there. Physically Brady was fine, so now you have several teams who need a quarterback - and it’s not going to be Brady.”
Rapoport added: “The family considerations loom larger. His children moving to Florida - I know Brady wanted to be around them, so if he was going to be the quarterback of the Tennessee Titans or anyone besides the Bucs or the Dolphins, spending regular time with his children would have been difficult, and where he is right now, that is paramount to Brady.
“He walks away at 45, kind of like how he always planned… for the first time in decades, Tom Brady is not going to be on the field this year.”
It emerged recently that Brady had rented an apartment in Miami, sparking rumours he could sign with the Dolphins to potentially replace Tua Tagovailoa - but it transpired that Brady’s children simply live in the city with ex-wife Gisele Bundchen. Brady finalised his divorce from the model recently after the couple started dating back in December 2006 and were married in February 2009.
