Tom Brady made his retirement from the NFL official via an Instagram post.
After 22 seasons, the surefire Hall of Famer will leave the game with seven Super Bowls, three league MVP awards, six All-Pro selections, and 15 Pro Bowls.
The announcement was anticlimactic after multiple news sources had already reported the news of his departure from the game.
With football out of his system, Brady can now focus on his other business ventures and spend more time with his family.
As Tom Brady announces the end of his NFL career, here is our essay on the one aspect of it that we can all agree on. I hope it brings back as many memories for you as it did for me writing it. pic.twitter.com/WVBo5P287c
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 1, 2022
While Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are experiencing sorrow after this decision, other NFC South teams are silently rejoicing because of an opening in the clouds.
Brady’s retirement reverts the division into a free-for-all battle with no clear-cut winner.
Worst, the futility might give a playoff pass to a team with a losing record.
The Situation Looks Bleak For The Buccaneers
The impact of Brady’s decision reiterates that the quarterback is the team’s most important player.
Get a great player in that position, and the team will always have a winning chance.
With Brady leaving the game for good, the veterans he recruited might think twice about returning to Tampa Bay.
Forever a part of Buccaneers history.
Thank you for everything, @TomBrady. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/XkMON0SY8j
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 1, 2022
If that’s the case, there’s a high chance that Rob Gronkowski won’t return for another season and will instead follow Brady to retirement.
The Buccaneers might experience an exodus to top talent because Chris Godwin, Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Ryan Jensen, Leonard Fournette, and William Gholston are free agents.
If these players leave, attracting a viable quarterback will be difficult.
Players looking for a fresh start might pass on the Buccaneers if Kyle Trask or Blaine Gabbert will be their starter.
Falcons Looking To Fly
The Atlanta Falcons had a chance to enter the playoffs but eventually fizzled to a 7-10 record.
Finding Matt Ryan’s heir apparent is still a primary concern because he only has two years left on his deal and is declining.
A.J. McCarron, Feleipe Franks, and Josh Rosen might not be the worthy successors of the former league MVP.
NFC South QBs
1. Matt Ryan
2. Kyle Trask
3. Sam Darnold
4. Taysom HillThe #Falcons dynasty is about to start pic.twitter.com/kY3yBIYVYt
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) February 1, 2022
They will also have to make the difficult decision on retaining Dante Fowler Jr. and Cordarrelle Patterson.
The Falcons’ defense is also a glaring issue, especially in the secondary.
A.J. Terrell can cover his side of the field, but the other cornerbacks and safeties can’t match what he brings to the table.
Uncertainty Looms In Carolina
The Carolina Panthers hope that hiring Ben McAdoo will help rejuvenate their offense.
They badly need help on that side of the ball, especially when the defense is completing their end of the bargain.
Their quarterback situation is still up in the air because Sam Darnold, Cam Newton, and P.J. Walker have their respective limitations.
From NFL Now: The #Panthers fill their OC vacancy, hiring Ben McAdoo to run their offense. pic.twitter.com/OjsXGNU1jY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2022
But finding a quarterback won’t matter if they can’t get a healthy Christian McCaffrey back.
His season came to an abrupt end again, and it won’t be a stretch to speculate that the Panthers might have doubts if he will ever play an entire season again.
That said, the Panthers may struggle again under Matt Rhule’s leadership.
Saints Can Dominate The Division
Before the Buccaneers won in 2021, the New Orleans Saints won four straight NFC South titles.
They arguably have the best roster in the division, but they must decide who their starting quarterback will be.
Unfortunately, the locker room won’t be the same in New Orleans without former head coach Sean Payton who always gets the best out of his players.
🏈Former Dolphins’ HC Brian Flores, a finalist for the Texans’ HC job, is scheduled to interview today for the Saints’ HC job.
🏈Giants’ DC Patrick Graham is scheduled to interview today for the Vikings’ HC job.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2022
Aside from those concerns, dealing with the salary cap will be their biggest issue because they are $71 million over the projected limit.
An amount that enormous may force them to release some players, leaving them with a weaker roster.
But if they can do some salary cap gymnastics to fit everyone’s salary, the Saints have the best chance of dominating their division rivals, especially when they swept the Buccaneers this season.
NEXT: Matthew Stafford Is Finally Reaching His Potential
