01 February 2023 , 15:44
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It's a sad day in the NFL as the greatest to ever do it has finally decided to retire, for good this time.
Tom Brady stunned the football world on Wednesday morning as he officially announced his retirement, but unlike last year he's claimed that he won't be going back on his decision. Brady initially called time after the 2021/22 season, but reversed his retirement to run it back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite making the play-offs, it was an underwhelming year for Brady and the Buccaneers, and there has been constant speculation over his future as he was supposedly linked to a number of different teams in order to continue his journey. However, analyst Bill Simmons thinks that Brady ran out of options, and it forced him to retire.
It seemed as though Brady had one of three main options, stick with the Buccaneers, move to a new team, or retire once and for all. Brady was linked with teams such as the Miami Dolphins and the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Buccaneers were also keen on extending his stay.
But Brady has opted to retire, which has come as a slight shock despite the fact he is 45. Brady had a tough season behind the scenes dealing with family issues, which may have come from his decision to continue playing after reversing his initial retirement.
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Therefore, many expected him to continue for a bit longer, but following his announcement on Wednesday morning Simmons has claimed that Brady may have had his hand forced. "My take: if Brady was playing in 2023, it was either for Miami or Sean Payton’s next team," Simmons wrote on social media.
"Miami recommitted to Tua (Tagovailoa) last week. Payton took Denver (w/ Russ) yesterday. Not a coincidence TB retired today. It’s abrupt because he ran out of options. Fox has SB next week… did they know?"
Brady and Payton have been linked with working together for years, and it's one of the great potential partnerships that unfortunately never took off. Payton was a wanted man after stepping down from the New Orleans Saints, and the Dolphins did all they could to get him.
But the Broncos won the race, and with Wilson in quarterback that ended Brady-Payton talk once again. Simmons thinks that may be the reason why Brady retired, and Payton even addressed the speculation last month.
"I think that there are a number of things that play into Tom’s decision, when, I can’t speak for Tom," Payton said. "I haven’t talked to Tom. I’m certainly a big fan.
"Over the years we’ve kept in touch, never worked together. I think there’s too many variables in that equation. If we work together, there’s a good chance it’s going to be with FOX," Payton then smirked.
Brady has been linked with a huge post-career deal with FOX, and they may be on the cusp of finally securing the greatest NFL player of all-time. The announcement comes just 11 days before the Super Bowl - could Brady suit up for the big day?