It has been barely a month since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lifted the Lombardi Trophy in their home stadium and became Super Bowl Champions.
During that same game, the Bucs’ legendary quarterback Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP at the ripe old age of 43.
There is no one Brady’s age that is an NFL starting quarterback; Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints is the closest at 42.
Brees is reportedly mulling retirement.
Brady is under contract with the Bucs until the end of the 2021 season.
With his success in 2020, the logical question is whether the Bucs should give him an extension right now.
The answer is yes for several reasons.
One is for the security of Brady and the franchise, and the other is a financial one to manipulate the dollars to make room for the Bucs to sign other free agents.
So the Bucs have extra motivation to give Brady an extension, but will they do it?
Bucs GM Stops Short Of Saying Yes
GM Jason Licht called in to The Rich Eisen Show last week.
Of course, Brady’s contract was one of the first questions he fielded.
Couldn’t talk to #GoBucs GM Jason Licht without asking him directly if he’s already working on a contract extension for @TomBrady:#NFL pic.twitter.com/e2n9jEVdKb
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 24, 2021
A Very Likely Scenario
Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht was diplomatic and measured in his answer, but an extension is most likely in the cards.
Licht talked about the obvious reasons to extend Brady’s contract.
“That’s a possibility. He certainly didn’t look like he slowed down any this year. So that’s a possibility. And we’ll have to see how that goes…Well I talk to Tom often, but … you know, I’ll probably keep that under wraps. But, like I said, I know it appears that he really had a good time this year winning the Super Bowl and likes our organization, likes our coaches, likes our head coach, ownership. And we certainly love him. So usually when you have those two things going for each other, it’s a match made in heaven. So we’d like to keep this going.”
Brady’s Current Contract
As previously mentioned, Tom Brady is entering the second year of his two year deal with the Bucs.
It is valued at $53.375 million.
Because the deal results in a $28.375 million cap hit this year, that is another reason to extend his contract.
Massaging the numbers and adding a year or two could shore up dollars to keep notable free agents like WR Chris Godwin.
How Long Can Brady Play?
Brady appears ageless.
He will be 44 before the 2021 regular season kicks off.
By all accounts he is in much better shape than he was 21 years ago.
This weeks marks 21 years since this photo.
Seven trophies later, @TomBrady never forgot where he came from 🐐 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/9DnTgB2rdV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 28, 2021
Brady said that he wanted to play until he was 45; however, he also is open to playing beyond 45.
Tom Brady asked if he’s still playing the way he played this season, would he play past 45?
“Oh definitely."
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) February 1, 2021
Some have suggested that Tom Brady will play as long as possible and as long as his family is agreeable to him continuing.
We do not know when the end date of his career is; all that we can hope is that it is not any time soon.
NEXT: 3 Ideal Landing Spots For Bucs WR Chris Godwin