Social Media Reacts To Tom Brady's (Reported) Impending Retirement

On Saturday afternoon the football world was rocked with a bombshell report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington that said Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be retiring from the NFL after 22 seasons.

According to ESPN sources, “Brady’s decision to retire is based on several factors, including family and health. Although it’s less significant, Brady also recognizes that the Buccaneers are likely to undergo significant roster turnover”.

However, in the immediate hours following the report’s release, numerous sources within Brady’s circle disputed the fact that he had already made up his mind.

Brady’s agent Don Yee shared the following statement.

“I understand the advance speculation about Tom’s future,” Yee said. “Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what’s being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon.”

Bally Sports’s Michael Silver also reported that Brady contacted Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht on Saturday to say that he has not made his decision yet.

Additionally, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians told the Tampa Bay Times that Brady has yet to inform the organization about anything.

“No, he hasn’t that we know of,” Arians said. “Agent [Don Yee] just told us he hasn’t made up his mind.”

Lastly, Brady’s own father, Tom Sr. stated to KRON-TV in San Francisco that his son is “not retiring” and “says an online publication started circulating an unsubstantiated rumor”.

However, despite the criticism and confusing follow up’s to the initial report, ESPN told the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand that they “stand by (their) reporting”.

To close out the day’s news, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Saturday evening that “several people close to” Brady believe he does intend to retire, but the pushback is “based on timing”.

From @NFLNetwork: Tom Brady does intend to retire, per several people close to him. The pushback appears to be based on timing, rather than his eventual decision. pic.twitter.com/GSTqDkKcjF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2022

While the official announcement of Brady’s retirement remains to be seen, a few of his former teammates shared their reactions over social media. Current Buccaneers teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each tweeted out congratulatory messages but have since deleted them.

As for when Brady himself will speak? Stay tuned.

If Tom thought playing was fun, retirement is that much better! Congrats brother @TomBrady! https://t.co/FLE0YDvSPv

— danny woodhead (@danny__woodhead) January 29, 2022

@TomBrady congrats man! You’re the fu***** greatest! Thank you for everything you’ve done for football and for me personally. Enjoy life my man.

— Patrick Chung (@PatrickChung23) January 29, 2022

https://twitter.com/ochocinco/status/1487517354032570369?s=20&t=PLH4NrQxKzHtI5C0-zBunQ

22yrs and you can’t announce your future plans yourself lol (Dmac)

— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) January 29, 2022

Can confirm that I texted Tom Brady and he didn’t text me back.

— Matt Cassel (@M_Cassel16) January 29, 2022

Here is what I know. It would be a cold day in hell before Tommy Brady would retire the day before the championship games. He would never want to be a distraction bringing attention to him and away from the games. It may be true, but "Come on Man!"

— Charlie Weis (@charlieweissr) January 29, 2022