Quarterback Tom Brady Expects To Play In 2020 But It’s Time For Him To Walk Away From The NFL

By Jordan Long

The New England Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday.   New England is fighting for a bye to avoid playing in the Wild Card Round.  The easiest road for them to earn a bye is to win.  If they lose and Kansas City is beaten by the L.A. Chargers they still earn a bye.  Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady isn’t thinking about leaving the NFL after this year.

                Brady is finishing his 20^th season in the league.  This has been a down year for Brady. He has 3,836 passing yards, the fewest in Brady’s career since 2016 when he tossed for 3,554.  He is still able to find his open receivers for touchdowns with 22, least since 2013 when he had 25. 

                The defenses are blitzing Brady.  With his quick release chucking the football, it is difficult to bring him down. Brady has been sacked 26 times this year, which is up from last year when he was brought down 21 times.   He has also fumbled 3 times.

                Even though his numbers are not where Brady wants them to be, he isn’t thinking of hanging up his cleats anytime soon.  According to CBSsports.com, Brady said, “I think I’ve said for a long time, my tune hasn’t changed, so, I hope to continue playing. I’ve had long-term goals, I’ve had short-term goals, and again, football is a contact sport, so, you never know when your last game is going to be and you count your blessings every time you walk off the field healthy.”

                It is time for Brady to walk away from the game once the playoff run is over.  Brady is a free agent after this season.  New England will take him back if he picks to play.   The problem is his age.  Brady is going to be 43 years old once the 2020 season kicks off.  Who knows if his body can take another year of punishment and if he will last another year. Brady might end up with an injury next season that could derail any hopes of a playoff run for the Patriots. 

Brady has already accomplished so much in his career to this point.  Brady has more Super Bowl victories than any quarterback to play the game at 6.  He could add 7 this year.  He is tied for the 2^nd most touchdown passes in NFL history heading into Sunday at 539, only Drew Brees has more at 544.  Brady’s total passing yards is 74,350 yards which ranks 2^nd on the all-time list.

                Brady knows he will be a future 1^st ballot Hall of Famer.  The writing is on the wall for him to hang up his cleats.  Brady might decide in 2020 to suit up even though there is not much left to play for except the love of the game.