Rumors Suggest That Tom Brady Might Come Out of Retirement to Play....Yes, Once Again

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Beall's Flick page - Tom Brady: https://www.flickr.com/photos/denverjeffrey/6566852021/in/photolist-b1hQjz-6TGQLf-6TCNjt-6TCQrP-ihYLBr-6TGXaY-91St2X-6TDcjM-6TD38p-quibTs-6THKxb-hGKoPh-gQnQcg-96MbC5-8B3HqL-rgz3YD-qz5ZLN-hGKoHf-qvEoAs-7owYgn-fMLkYm-6TCSWz-nV7bPa-hGJxK6-7oARWy-5xv7E5-qLF6bB-biYQPX-6TCSbe-gNTTwc-gNTYva-gNSie6-6TCHwa-6TCyUV-bh4Lxt-6TDfuD-6THpgu-6TCDMV-6TGXxA-6TD1CM-6TCUtk-gnh4wB-6TD6SD-aEwQeH-6TCK44-6TGXnQ-6THdRE-6THzA5-ihZDW8-6THiE5

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Okay, now it is starting to feel ridiculous. 

Really, I am not one of those Tom Brady haters. And surely, everyone who knows anything about NFL football knows that there really is no shortage of those around. In fact, I was kind of pulling for the guy, as the last remaining active player - and a star player at that, performing at the very highest levels - who was more or less my age. A bit younger - less than three years - but who's age I can still more or less relate to on many levels. So I actually almost took pride that somebody his age - my age - could still do the things that he does on the football field.

That said, this really is getting ridiculous. It is beginning to be reminiscent of Brett Favre, who kept flirting with retirement, who kept playing games and betrayed his rather astonishing ego as he tried to force the Packers to keep him as their starter no matter what, then went to the Jets for one forgettable season, before having two seasons with the Vikings. The first was very memorable and successful, although it ended with Favre throwing a very ill-advised interception in the final moments of the 2009 NFC Championship Game when they likely at least could have gotten a field goal attempt for a win that would have elevated them to the Super Bowl. His second season, on the other hand, was simply disastrous, and saw his iron man streak of consecutive starts end on bad terms, with a very bad hand. If anything, it tarnished his once stellar reputation, although not to the extent that Favre has tarnished that reputation since with his off the field idiocies. 

In any case, Brady is not Favre. That much is clear. Brady seems to have a better head on his shoulders, and has not put himself in compromising situations like Favre did on various occasions with his conduct away from the football field. Brady does not send pictures of his junk to cheerleaders, for example, or get involved in some scam where he is effectively swindling taxpayers. At least, not that I know of.

That said, the one thing that these two guys do seem to have in common is an enormous ego. Brady is currently 45 years old, and coming off what perhaps ranks as his worst season ever. Certainly, his numbers were down. Also, he suffered his first losing record in his career, as Tampa Bay finished 8-9. Still, they won the NFC South division title, although that was likely more a testament to how bad that division was. They got whupped by Dallas in the playoffs, despite enjoying home field advantage. Brady did not stand out for his excellence this season, as he has in obviously many seasons in the past. 

So the main question would be whether it was his team that dropped off, or if Brady's skills at the helm are deteriorating. That is a good question, especially since some are noticing that his decision to play at least one more season cost him his marriage. Evidently, one of the terms of remaining married to Gisele Bündchen was to remain tired the first time, right around this time last year. But he came back, and that decision apparently showed his willingness to end his marriage in order to keep playing. 

Now, one year later, the drama is back. Oh, he won't be getting divorced this time around. And if he plays, it will evidently be with a new team. 

Which team?

The Miami Dolphins. 

On some levels, this choice can be understood. He would be staying in warm and sunny Florida. And the Dolphins appear to have some serious offensive talent, and are a contender. Clearly, both sides are thinking about - and clearly hoping for - another miraculous season like the one Brady enjoyed just a few seasons ago when he came to Tampa Bay, and led the team to their second Super Bowl title in franchise history, and their first in nearly two decades. The drought has been much longer for Miami, but they clearly feel - if they go ahead and pull the trigger with Brady - that they have a real shot at a title this coming season. 

That said, however, what about the Dolphins apparent commitment to Tua Tagovailoa? It seems that both Brady and the Dolphins franchise are willing to push him to the side, at least if the Fins go ahead and make Brady their starter. What kind of message does that say to him? And does that not remind you of Favre, trying to push aside the inevitable ascension of Rodgers in Green Bay? 

So I don't know. It seems like Brady is literally willing to hurt more and more people, and push them aside, to pursue his little ego trip. Not a good look, if you ask me. At some point, when you announce your retirement, you should actually mean it. This is starting to feel like a bad joke, at least if both the Dolphins and Brady go ahead with this.

Let's see what happens...

NFL rumors: Tom Brady might not stay retired after all, landing spot already emerging Story by Alicia de Artola • March 6, 2023:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-rumors-tom-brady-might-not-stay-retired-after-all-landing-spot-already-emerging/ar-AA18isCh?li=BBnb7Kz