A cryptic photo posted by Tom Brady on social media has got tongues wagging about the legendary Quarterback’s future.
Brady, 42, has crafted 6 Super Bowl victories during the 20 golden years he’s been with the New England Patriots. Indeed, the 6ft 4in Californian has also set so many records doing it, many regard him as the greatest NFL quarterback of all time.
For the first time in four years, Brady won’t be playing in this week’s Super Bowl. The Patriots, the defending champions, were ousted after a shock defeat to the Tennessee Titans on Wild Card Weekend.
Brady, being who he is, has remained in the media spotlight, however. And this is especially so, because for the first time since his Patriots draft in 2000, he’s a free agent
There’s been speculation whether he’ll stay or whether he’ll go in the circumstances and it intensified on Thursday evening. This was when Brady posted a black and white photograph of himself walking through the tunnel at the Patriots’ stadium.
Photo had a leaving look
It had a leaving-something look about it – like a movie cowboy riding into the sunset. After seeing it, New York Jets Pro Bowler Jamal Adams wrote on Twitter: “Please leave the AFC East!” He’s clearly tired of the Patriots dominating this division.
The four-time Super Bowl MVP and 14-time Pro Bowler has been reported as saying he’s not ready to retire. However, he may well be ready to depart the Patriots and follow the money. And yes, with his sky-high level of skill and his vast experience, there could be quite a bit out there.
Retired tight-end Rob Gronkowski who worked so splendidly with Brady over the years, has advised his old Patriots buddy to “test the waters”
“I truly believe, said ‘The Gronk’ earlier this week, “that he deserves the opportunity to go explore, to see what’s out there. He’s been playing for so long.
Gronkowski: “He deserves the chance to test the waters”
“The way that he’s been playing, the level that he’s been playing at… He deserves an opportunity to go out there and test the market.
“Why shouldn’t he? He’s never done it before in his career and he’s going to be a free agent for the first time ever. Good for him. Go test out the market and do what’s best for himself.
Putting two and two together – Brady’s picture and Gronkowski’s comment – and it might be pointing to something. That’s clearly why the ‘is or isn’t he going’ story is on the go again.
Don’t be too surprised if one or more of New Jersey’s 18 sportsbooks quite soon start offering odds on Brady’s future.
Meantime, here are a just a few of Brady’s accomplishments:
- 6× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII)
- 4× Super Bowl MVPs (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI)
- 3× NFL Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017)
- 14× Pro Bowl (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009–2018)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2005)
- Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year (2007)
- 4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2002, 2007, 2010, 2015)
- 3× NFL passing yards leader (2005, 2007, 2017)
NFL Stats
And here are his stats to date as per the NFL.com player stats:
Passing attempts 9,988
Passing Completions: 6,377
Completion percentage 63.8
Passing yards 74,571
TD-INT: 541-179
Rushing yards 1,037
Rushing touchdowns 22
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 30, 2020