Tom Brady Retirement 2: Electric Boogaloo.

No joke, in my ‘on this day in history’ show prep this morning: 2022: Tom Brady retires from the NFL. I read that at 5:45am. At 7:15am I get a text to the station line that asks me about my take on Tom Brady retiring on Twitter. Live look at my brain:

But, yes, it does appear as though Brady is stepping away again. A few thoughts on this in no particular order:

1. I tend to believe he’s actually done given the way the season went for him last year, but we’re officially in Brett Favre ‘I’ll believe it when it’s Week 1 in September and he’s not on a team’ territory with Brady. And honestly it may extend even further than that. I’ll believe it when we get through the ENTIRE 2023-24 season and he doesn’t play a down. Because even if he doesn’t get the itch in July to return, you know some contending team is going to lose their quarterback in October or November and the rumors of that team calling Brady will start firing quickly. Wouldn’t shock me if Shefter already has a, ‘I talked to a source close to Brady and he says Tom has been staying in shape…’ tweet loaded in his drafts.
2. In my mind there has always been a 100% chance that Aaron Rodgers is going to play this upcoming season, but if you thought there was even a SHRED of a chance that Rodgers retires, this should get rid of it. I’ve got a better chance of getting a bronze tan this summer than we do of hearing an Aaron Rodgers retirement announcement if Brady is in fact done. A guy with his ego is not going to want to share the stage at Canton with Tom Brady. No shot.
3. Whether you loved him or hated him, no one is EVER going to approach Brady as the GOAT. The back of his football card defies logic. 3 MVP’s, 10 (TEN!) Super Bowl appearances, 7 rings, and rings with two different franchises. Extraordinary doesn’t even begin to describe it. Also: I’m not sure anyone really hated him, other than hating the fact that he always won. I don’t think I ever had a gripe with him beyond that. He seemed to be a great teammate, and a fierce competitor. Is he a little bit of a weirdo? Maybe. But I put peanut butter on my pizza so who the hell am I to judge anyone for being weird.

If we are in fact done with the Brady Era, it was a hell of a ride. Kind of nuts that people my age (38 going on 14) have been able to witness two GOAT era’s in their lifetime: Jordan and Brady. Nuts.

PS: Tough morning for Greg Olsen. Arguably the best football analyst this season, but just keeping that seat warm for the standing 10 year/$375 million dollar offer Fox has for Brady to take that spot.

Double PS: Chances this is a publicity stunt for 80 for Brady and Brady is in 49er camp in July? 5%.