New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady initially plans to play until he’s 45 years old. However, the 41-year-old signal-caller might not fulfill his deadline, according to a report by Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal.
Bedard reported that Brady might decide to retire after 2019, especially if he wins his seventh Super Bowl ring. Bedard based his assessment on claims by some team insiders, who haven’t ruled out the possibility that Brady might walk away from the game if the Patriots clinch another Super Bowl trophy in 2019.
Winning a Super Bowl rings in 2019 would mean that Brady will have four in his final six seasons, exceeding the three that he won in his first four seasons as the Patriots starting quarterback.
Also, Bedard said if Brady gives the Patriots another Super Bowl ring, this would break the franchise tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers and leaving him a two-title lead over any other player, which would be an unbreakable record. If Brady leaves after this season, the Patriots will only have third-string quarterback Danny Etling on their depth chart for 2020, unless the team takes a signal-caller in the 2019 NFL Draft.
No contract extension yet for Brady
As of now, Brady is signed for next season and there is no indication that a contract extension is within reach. Brady’s contract for next season accounts for $27 million on the salary cap, but they create additional salary cap room if they sign the quarterback to an extension, which could happen before the start of the Patriots training camp in July.
Last season, Brady made $22 million, but he missed earning several millions of dollars more in incentives after he failed to make several performance ceilings.
Earlier, the Patriots are rumored to be interested in selecting West Virginia’s Will Grier or Duke’s Daniel Jones in the 2019 NFL Draft. Grier could be available in the second round while Jones, owing to his impressive performance in his pro day, could be selected in the first round.
The Patriots are reported to be eyeing Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen via trade as a possible successor to Brady.
Mike Vrabel better replacement for Belichick?
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is reportedly being groomed as a possible successor to head coach Bill Belichick if he decides to retire. However, Boston Herald columnist Tom Keegan believes that McDaniels is not an ideal choice to take over the helm if Belichick retires.
Keegan said Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who played as linebacker for the Patriots from 2001 to 2009, could be the ideal replacement for Belichick. "Titans head coach Mike Vrabel knows all about what it means to be a Patriot and is trying to fill his roster with players who bring similar traits," Keegan said in his column.
