Tom Brady nearly did the impossible yet again Sunday afternoon.
He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back from a 27-3 deficit against the Los Angeles Rams to tie the game at 27-27.
Unfortunately for him, the Rams held on thanks to Cooper Kupp saving the day.
That gave Brady a shocking early postseason exit at the age of 44.
He now has to decide if he wants to run it back and play as a 45-year-old.
Throughout the year he said he was coming back for sure.
But he took a more reserved approach following Sunday’s loss.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has the latest update.
From @gmfb: #Bucs QB Tom Brady may not retire. But this is as real as it's been. pic.twitter.com/5fJV25Hd0q
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2022
The key point from Rapoport is when he says this is the first time Brady has even hinted that he needs to take time and think about a decision.
Brady not saying he will definitively be back raises questions and puts the focus on him as his offseason begins earlier than expected.
What Will The Legend Do?
Fans and analysts alike try to guess what professional athletes will do all the time.
But the only one who knows what will happen in this scenario is Brady himself.
And he still may not have a definitive answer yet.
One likes to think of a scenario where he retires on top after winning his eighth Super Bowl.
That would be a storybook ending to the greatest career in NFL history.
The problem is that this season proved he is still fallible.
Brady had an MVP-caliber season and still saw his team fall behind 27-3 in the Divisional Round.
So much respect. 🤝@TomBrady | @obj pic.twitter.com/iJhOHcw3QR
— NFL (@NFL) January 23, 2022
Yes, the comeback was nearly historic but it was still not enough.
Brady entered the NFL in 2000 and has seven rings to his name.
So while it seems like he wins a Super Bowl every year, that is obviously not the case.
That means a return in 2022 could mean another early playoff exit.
Even if he does return, that storybook ending could elude him once again.
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