Wednesday marks the 45th birthday of Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady.
With him coming back for at least one more season, some are wondering how long he can continue playing.
It’s no secret that he’s floated the idea of playing until he’s 50.
While 50 is old for the everyday person, it’s insanely old for an NFL player.
However, if any player can defy father time, it’s Brady.
He proves every season how he’s like a bottle of Merlot, getting better with time.
But can he really continue playing until he’s 50?
Brady’s Training And Lifestyle Give Him A Chance To Play Until He’s 50
While many joke about his age, his training shows the reason he’s still the best at his age.
.@TomBrady turns 45 tomorrow and still looks at the top of his game.@CutToIt, @ColleenWolfe and @Sara_Walsh check in from @Buccaneers training camp. 📍 pic.twitter.com/vuoRRx5XwH
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 2, 2022
Even now, he’s still at the top of his game.
This comes from his lifestyle of a desire to silence every doubter of his.
Winning isn’t enough for him, as his desire to prove he’s the best, at any age, is flowing through his veins.
However, his desire first came from how other NFL teams saw him as someone that wasn’t good enough to become a starting QB.
Those teams would light the fire inside the seven-time Super Bowl champion to become the G.O.A.T. of NFL quarterbacks.
As Ray Lewis would say, Tom Brady has turned greatness into a lifestyle.
"If you get tired of @TomBrady winning… do something about it! Stop it! And if you can't do anything about it, join the gang and appreciate what he's done." @RayLewis on the lifestyle of greatness that @TomBrady lives.
(Sponsored by @Verizon) pic.twitter.com/Sm37s7qX37
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 8, 2021
It is that lifestyle that can allow him to play until he’s 50.
However, there are other factors that could prevent this from happening.
Would NFL Teams Still Be Interested In Brady Beyond 2022?
With the legendary QB playing this season at 45 years old, the only thing stopping him from playing until he’s 50 are NFL teams.
NFL teams might not want a QB who will be 46 in 2023.
However, passing on Brady because of his age is an error.
But it’s still something NFL teams could consider before giving him a deal.
Also, with Brady’s contract expiring, and Tampa not extending him, it could mean they don’t have an interest in him at 46 years old.
However, they are fine with him playing at 45 this season.
He Can Play Until He’s 50, But Obstacles Won’t Allow It
While the desire and health of Brady can allow him to play until he’s 50, too many obstacles are in his way.
With age comes immobility, something a quarterback can’t afford to lose.
However, Brady’s never been known as a very mobile QB.
But the slower you get, the harder it is to avoid those painful sacks and quarterback hits.
Without a perfect offensive line, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to survive in the NFL.
Add that to NFL teams wanting young mobile quarterbacks and you have a small market for him beyond 45.
However, he also has other deals, like his deal with Fox after he retires from football.
That announcer job is another obstacle that can keep him off the gridiron after this season is over.
So while he CAN play until he’s 50, the likelihood of him doing so is slim.
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