Confusion Abounds over Tom Brady’s Future
Is he retiring, or is he not? There is conflicting reports that Tom Brady may or may not retire after reports exploded Saturday afternoon claiming that the seven-time Super Bowl Champion was planning to hang it up after 22 seasons in the NFL.
The announcement of Brady’s retirement initially came from Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me.
More coming on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ. pic.twitter.com/6CHWmMlyXg
Then something wild happened. Reports started trickling out late Saturday afternoon that Brady was not retiring. Soon reports were coming from Mike Giardi of the NFL Network and Greg Auman of the Athletic with statements from Brady’s own father, his agent and others in TB12’s circle denying that Brady had made a decision.
Checked in with Tom Brady Sr. who tells me, and I quote, "This story Mike is total conjecture. Tommy has not made a final decision one way or the other and anybody else that says that he has is absolutely wrong." #TomBrady #Buccaneers
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 29, 2022
Brady’s agent Don Yee was quoted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Brady would be the only one to make an official announcement on his future.
Statement from Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee: pic.twitter.com/vbUhSToYtT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2022
Even the Buccaneers and head coach Bruce Arians denied that there was any legitimacy to reports that Brady had indeed called it a career, saying they had heard nothing.
It's been an hour since ESPN reported Tom Brady's retirement. NFL accounts, Brady brand accounts have acknowledged it, but the team has said nothing, and just checking moments ago, Bruce Arians hasn't been told he's retiring. Doesn't add up right now.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 29, 2022
ESPN says, "We stand by our reporting."
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) January 29, 2022
With this quote and the AP report that Brady told the Bucs he’s not yet decided on retiring, it’s safe to say he either truly is not sure or this is most assuredly NOT the retirement rollout the 🐐 had planned. https://t.co/BaZjvxUEFu
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) January 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/BigActionBill/status/1487538600891797519?s=20&t=7wdj6D4Z_pt12rKCYLMHzA
So what is the status of Brady’s future? It’s anyone’s guess. One thing is for sure, the Brady retirement announcement took a life of its own on Saturday, one that if it were true would have clearly overshadowed the NFC and AFC Championship games. It was also an example of how social media can run amuck before anything is truly fact-checked.
If Brady is indeed planning to retire, it’s hard to imagine he would want to be a distraction for the NFL during a championship weekend.
If Brady doesn’t announce any retirement plans within the next two weeks, he is to be paid roughly $15 million of his $20 million signing bonus according to Spotrac.
FWIW: $15M of Tom Brady’s $20M signing bonus from last March is set to be paid out February 4th, 2022. Seems like something a guy or gal would want to have process before making any life changing career decisions official.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) January 29, 2022
Hopefully, the GOAT can clear this up on his own time, in his way.
