Tom Brady is on the clock.
After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were knocked out of the NFL playoffs following a 31-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL world awaits what Brady does next.
The 45-year-old quarterback has a few options on the table. He could play another season for the Buccaneers, he could step away from the game altogether and ride off into the sunset, or he could join the FOX broadcast booth, which he intends to do once he’s done with football completely. .
Brady said in the postgame news conference that he would take some time to decide on his future.
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Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
«I’m going to go home and get a good night’s sleep as soon as I can tonight,» Brady said. «There’s been a lot of focus on this game. Just one day at a time.»
On the ESPN broadcast, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman discussed the possibility of Brady playing another season. Buck expanded on that notion in his postgame interview with Scott Van Pelt.
«When I talk to people about it, people in the game think he’s going to come back for another year. Whether it’s here in Tampa Bay or in some other organization, nobody knows,» Buck said. «But I’ll go back to what we said in the game… unless he’s a great actor, he had a heart-to-heart with us about this. I think he’s been through a lot off the field and probably more than we give.» credit for.
«When I spoke to these players and the people on this coaching staff tonight before the game, they said that Brady has been back to himself for the last three weeks, which tells me that for a while he was really out of it dealing with what whatever was going on. with the team and everything that was going on in his life. I think he doesn’t know if he’ll play again. And we’ll all have to find out together at the same time.»
Aikman, the Cowboys’ Hall of Fame quarterback, added that if he plays at 46, he will have to make some changes to his game that seem untenable.
TOM BRADY IRKS TO NFL FANS WITH APPARENT ATTEMPT TO SLIP ON COWBOYS PLAYER
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Ehrman/Getty Images)
«You don’t play until you’re 45 unless you love the game and he obviously does. He’s done it all. And tonight, let’s be honest, he looked like a 45-year-old quarterback,» Aikman said. «And I think if he comes back, we know if he was available and teams needed a quarterback, Tom Brady would probably be at the top of the list. He’s well regarded. He can still play at a high level.» . level. But he has to have those pieces around him. Most of us needed that when we were in our early 30s.
«If that’s in Tampa, great. But you can’t throw the ball 66 times and expect to get something done. He’s been doing it for the last two years. He’s led the league in pass attempts the last two years with 44 and 45.» . years. Whatever the reasons, that has to change wherever it is.»
Brady was 35-for-66 with 351 passing yards and two touchdown passes and a rare interception in the red zone. Chris Godwin led the Buccaneers with 10 receptions for 85 yards. Jones had seven receptions for 74 yards.
There are reportedly several teams interested in Brady’s services for the 2023 season even though he turns 46. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport explained the potential options Brady has before him on Sunday.
Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks to the media after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
(Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
«Tom Brady is a free agent after this season. He’ll be 46 and I’d say there’s a chance he won’t return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers even though they really want him back and are working hard to get him back.» Rapoport explained.
The NFL insider added that Brady could well find a new landing spot if Tampa Bay isn’t in his future.
«Among the teams that would consider Brady, there are a couple of them that considered Brady last time,» he said. «The Tennessee Titans still have some questions about the quarterback there. The 49ers, if they don’t decide to rock Brock Purdy, is certainly making their case. And the Las Vegas Raiders, who have several of his old friends, including Josh McDaniels.» .
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Much remains to be decided for Tampa Bay.