Brady may want to play past 40 now

[Brady_to_Moss]

Tom Brady is the quarterback for now and, from what he told SI’s Peter King recently, his tenure with the team could go a lot farther than what many might expect. Brady, who will turn 36 in a few short weeks, signed a contract extension earlier this offseason that will keep him as the Patriots quarterback until he’s 40. Now, he sounds interested in playing even longer than that. “The way I feel now, it’s beyond 40,” Brady said. ” I have a lot of goals, and I am in this for the long haul. I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.” Brady’s stats have remained consistent in recent years and he continues to lead the Patriots into the playoffs, even to the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

But, with the urge to play beyond when the Patriots may want him, Brady doesn’t sound completely opposed to playing for a new team later in his career — if, of course, he makes it that far. “Whether the team wants me, or whether something [like an injury] happens tomorrow to stop me from playing, that remains to be seen,” Brady said. “But my training, my nutrition, the bodywork I do — I can’t see not playing at any time in the near future. .”

Read more at: Tom Brady Wants to Play Beyond 40 Years Old, Even if It?s Not With Patriots | New England Patriots | NESN.com

Side bit

There’s nothing I love to do more. Whether the New England Patriots want me, or anyone wants me, I know I want to play for quite a while

Pats better want his ass

 

[Rob0729]

Brady has always said he wants to play to at least 40. He hasn't really changed his position on this.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

I hope he remains a patriot for life.

 

[Boogs]

Brady could play well into his 40's. Sounds like he takes pretty good care of his body. He makes it look effortless to play qb out there. Those two things make me think he could potentially last a good while in the league. You need to be fortunate with injuries also. The hardest part may be the mental grind. And doing it for that many years.

 

[Uncle Meat]

"I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel." This quote may not truly express his thoughts on the matter. LOL.

Nobody ever really wants to hang up his cleats or whatever, and it's sometimes the players that have seen the longest prolonged success that struggle with the decision to quit the most, mainly because they have that luxury.

I'm no psychologist, but I doubt that Brady has TRULY come to grips with the fact that his skills will indeed erode someday...there is no evidence of that happening to date, so he has yet to really experience the reality of that inevitability. I'm projecting that, though...seems a reasonable enough theory. He's human. Kinda like we all know on some level we are going to die, yet many people are in some form of denial about it. You don't really think that way when you wake up in the morning unless you are depressed.

Brady has had excellent protection throughout his career, which has contributed to his success and probably helps his longevity. I can see him playing another 4 years at a very high level if his luck continues. Personally, I hope he quits right away because I'm a Bills fan...talk about longevity...that's what it takes to be a Bills fan.

Gotta be a tough decision to quit when you are a first ballot Hall of Famer like Brady. Some guys would prefer to quit BEFORE their skills erode, and they are still on top of their game...which makes people say "he could have played longer."

Like I say, he has years left...and to force him out any time soon would mean something like having a Steve Young on the team to oust a Montana...or a perfect storm to oust Peyton Manning by virtue of having an opportunity to draft an Andrew Luck for the long-term future. Don't see any of that here.

The guy is on top of the world, so of course he doesn't want that to end. It will be a sad day in Patriot-Land when it does. Don't hold it against me, but I won't shed a tear.

 

[Nunchucks]

As you get older the hits hurt more and the bruises, aches, and minor pains take longer to heal. I know this because my fine tuned athletic body is starting to break-down a little and I am about to hit 40. I used to bounce back from injuries super quick, now I can get a lingering elbow soreness for months....it is frustrating as hell.

 

[Kontradiction]

I love Brady. I think he's the absolute GOAT. With that said, the Patriots should be looking at his replacement as quickly as next offseason (A.J. McCarron would be a good fit, IMO). Great quarterbacks in the history of the league that have continued to play at a high level into their 40's are few and far between. Maybe Brady will be able to do it. If he doesn't show that he's losing his fast ball as he gets closer to 40, I would love for the team to re-sign him while his replacement waits. But if he shows wear and tear as we get closer to that time, I would hope that the coaching staff sits him down and has an honest heart to heart with him about continuing to play.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I hope he remains a patriot for life.

Well I for one wish him a longer life than just his football career

 

[Boogs]

As you get older the hits hurt more and the bruises, aches, and minor pains take longer to heal. I know this because my fine tuned athletic body is starting to break-down a little and I am about to hit 40. I used to bounce back from injuries super quick, now I can get a lingering elbow soreness for months....it is frustrating as hell.

I know what you mean. If you're like me, you probably don't make 20+ million a year. These highly paid athletes can have their chiropractor, massage and physical therapist come to their house daily if they want it. They have hyperbaric chambers, nutritionists and chef's planning and making drinks and meals for recovery. That would help us last longer if we did all that too.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I know what you mean. If you're like me, you probably don't make 20+ million a year. These highly paid athletes can have their chiropractor, massage and physical therapist come to their house daily if they want it. They have hyperbaric chambers, nutritionists and chef's planning and making drinks and meals for recovery. That would help us last longer if we did all that too.

Absent all this 21st century medical tech, there were several old time NFL QBs who played over 40. Guys who with the rules back then took far, far more physically punishing hits than today's well rule protected QBs. So absent a career debilitating injury or series of same, TFB could play until age deteriorating arm strength eliminated his ability to drill the cross field pass, a pass many contemporaries can't do at the height of their prowess.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I love Brady. I think he's the absolute GOAT. With that said, the Patriots should be looking at his replacement as quickly as next offseason (A.J. McCarron would be a good fit, IMO). Great quarterbacks in the history of the league that have continued to play at a high level into their 40's are few and far between. Maybe Brady will be able to do it. If he doesn't show that he's losing his fast ball as he gets closer to 40, I would love for the team to re-sign him while his replacement waits. But if he shows wear and tear as we get closer to that time, I would hope that the coaching staff sits him down and has an honest heart to heart with him about continuing to play.

2014 is too early to look for a high drafted Brady replacement IMO. McCarron is looking like a late 1st-2nd round QB. Assuming Brady plays to atleast 39, McCarron would be in the final year of his rookie deal by the time he starts. If Brady were to play out his remaining contract, McCarron would be a free agent when Brady retires/leaves.

I'm fine with throwing crap at the wall (O'Connell, Hoyer, Mallett, Tebow, etc.) and see if any of it sticks until 2016.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Well I for one wish him a longer life than just his football career

Of course, but let him finish his career here

 

[Ivan]

The team needs to be looking for their next QB over the next couple of years but if Brady continues to play at his current level there is no need to make any change. If McCarron is available I would be fine with them taking him as having a high level replacement for Brady when he does step down makes all the sense in the world, and it worked out just fine for the Packers. Even if Brady goes beyond 40 and continues to play at a high level it isn't likely he will go too far beyond it. I could actually see him playing really well at 42 but don't see him continuing it until 44-45-46 etc. Brady's greatest attributes are his field IQ and his accuracy, and until those diminish significantly he will likely continue to play really well, unless his body just gives out due to the hits.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I just want him to retire a new england patriot like what marino did

 

[Joker]

Marino was a Patriot???...I miss something way back when?

 

[Kontradiction]

2014 is too early to look for a high drafted Brady replacement IMO. McCarron is looking like a late 1st-2nd round QB. Assuming Brady plays to atleast 39, McCarron would be in the final year of his rookie deal by the time he starts. If Brady were to play out his remaining contract, McCarron would be a free agent when Brady retires/leaves.

I'm fine with throwing crap at the wall (O'Connell, Hoyer, Mallett, Tebow, etc.) and see if any of it sticks until 2016.

I don't think 2014 is too early at all. As you said, McCarron has a few years to wait in the wings and they have the option to re-sign him if either a) they like what they see, or b) if they see him as a starter going into next year. If Brady hasn't shown any deterioration, then can let him go and re-sign Brady. Ultimately, I think McCarron is the best quarterback coming out within the next few years. He played for a winner, in high stakes games at Alabama. He played under former Belichick pupil Nick Saban, and he played in a similar system while having success in it.

 

[Ivan]

I don't think 2014 is too early at all. As you said, McCarron has a few years to wait in the wings and they have the option to re-sign him if either a) they like what they see, or b) if they see him as a starter going into next year. If Brady hasn't shown any deterioration, then can let him go and re-sign Brady. Ultimately, I think McCarron is the best quarterback coming out within the next few years. He played for a winner, in high stakes games at Alabama. He played under former Belichick pupil Nick Saban, and he played in a similar system while having success in it.

Yep, this is exactly how i see it. Take McCarron if he is available and let him wait in the wings until Brady hangs them up. I would be fine with them taking the same path the Packers did, and don't see Brady ever being the kind of flaming douchebag Favre was about it.

 

[Ivan]

I just want him to retire a new england patriot like what marino did

I think everyone wants that but if Brady's skills have eroded and he still wants to play when a really good young QB is ready to go then I would be fine with him taking the same path Montana did. The trade to the Chef's in no way diminished the career of Montana and the 49ers went on to win more championships, which is the point of it all.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The latest Funny or Die Brady "comedy" vid just posted here tells us that acting is not an option for Tom, post football.

 

[Joker]

Thank you Siskel...or are you Ebert?