Tom Brady revealed on his "Let's Go!" podcast this week that he's "super content and happy" with his decision to retire following the 2021 NFL season. But the former Buccaneers and Patriots quarterback added that he plans to take his next steps "day by day" and said "nothing's promised for us," echoing the contemplative nature of previous comments on the show, in which he refused to rule out a future comeback. Behind the scenes, some of Brady's former Patriots peers believe the QB still wants to play, according to NFL Media's Mike Giardi, and isn't actually retiring before the 2022 campaign.
"I've talked to a couple of people who were with Brady in Foxboro, know him very well, and they said, 'I don't believe for a second that he's done,'" Giardi said.
"A lot of people feel like (Brady) was almost forced in that direction (to retire)," Giardi added about the QB's postseason announcement, which came after initial denials from his own camp, "and doesn't wanna go in that direction just yet."
Brady himself has countered that notion by publicly expressing a desire to spend time with family and pursue other ventures outside of football, but he has also left the door open for a return. Several former teammates, including Patriots running back Brandon Bolden and Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, have already predicted the QB will come back.
Brady is officially under contract with the Buccaneers for one more season, unless Tampa Bay releases him after June 1 to save 2022 salary cap space (it could also place him on the reserve/retired list to free up space). But Giardi added that "some people who know him very well" believe that Brady, who has already praised the Rams' aggressive approach en route to winning Super Bowl LVI, would consider another relocation if/when he comes back.
"The situation in Tampa -- they ran it back last year, they didn't win a title," Giardi reported. "Now, there's some cap concerns. Can they bring everybody back? It doesn't seem that's gonna be the case. Maybe, just maybe, Tom Brady is looking elsewhere and saying, 'I can't win a title here, but maybe I can win one elsewhere.' ... He did not close the door on playing football."