Tom Brady on retirement decision: 'I'm going to take my time'

Tom Brady’s retirement saga in 2022 was wild when he initially stepped away but decided against hanging it up and returned for his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, Brady does not have retirement in his brain with two games left this regular season.

“Well, I think next time I decide to retire, that’s it for me,” Brady said on Let’s Go! on Mad Dog Sports Radio. “So, whenever that day comes, we’ll figure it out.” 

The Bucs are now 7-8 following the team’s win over the Arizona Cardinals and can wrap up the NFC South with a win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday. With the playoffs looming, Brady put the retirement talk to bed, for now.

“I really don’t,” Brady said when asked if he contemplates the retirement decision. “You know, I think what I really realized last year was you got to be really sure to do that. And, you know, for me, a lot of people have kind of gone through a situation, how you feel when the season ends versus … later, so, I’m going to take my time.”

While Brady is not throwing for gaudy stats this season, he already surpassed 4,000 yards in 15 games this year. He has 4,178 yards, 21 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 66% completion percentage in his 23rd pro season.

While he can play at a decently high level and give his team a chance to win and make the playoffs, Brady can put the retirement talk on the back burner.

“Whenever that time does come, in the meantime, I have a hugely important job that the team’s asked me to do,” Brady said. “And I want to go out there and I want to play my best these last two weeks of the regular season.”

Brady’s future with the Bucs is up in the air considering his contract is up after the season. While all indications would point to him staying in South Florida, NFL analyst Bucky Brooks named the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers as possible destinations for Brady in 2023. 

But for now, Brady and the Bucs can still make the playoffs and make a run, if it all gels together. Winning the NFC South guarantees the Bucs at least one home playoff game in the NFC Wild Card round.

The Buccaneers (7-8) host the Panthers (6-9) Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET with the NFC South on the line.