Yahoo Finance Report: Tom Brady plans to play in 2021, thinks second season with Bucs will be better
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was serious when he said he wanted to play until he was 45. Brady, who will turn 44 in August, reportedly intends to return to the Bucs next season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The news shouldn’t come as a surprise considering Brady signed a two-year, $50 million deal with the Bucs in March. Given his age and career earnings, Brady could have easily walked away from the second year of his deal if things didn’t go well with the Buccaneers.
That hasn’t been the case thus far. In his first season with the team, Brady threw for 4,633 yards with 40 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That performance helped lead the Bucs to an 11-5 record and the team’s first playoff appearance since 2007.
The Buccaneers will take on the Washington Football Team in the wild-card round Saturday.
Tom Brady believes second season with Bucs will be even better
Despite his age, Brady sees no reason to expect decline next season. Brady reportedly believes 2021 will be even better for the Bucs, according to Rapoport.
From @NFLGameDay: #Bucs QB Tom Brady plans to play in 2021 and expects it to be even better... while the #Bills will approach QB Josh Allen's agents about a potential huge contract extension this spring or summer. pic.twitter.com/5glxAax2rG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2021
Familiarity should help Brady next season. He won’t have to learn an entirely new offense, and won’t have to establish a rapport with his pass catchers. On top of that, it’s possible the NFL will experience a more normal offseason if the United States can roll out the COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner.
Still, it’s pretty bold for Brady to believe things might be better next year. The Buccaneers haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs yet. If the team wins it all this season, Brady may have just set an unreasonable expectation for the fans next year.
Then again, if anyone can win back-to-back championships in their 40s, it would be Brady.
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