Unlike ARod, Brady seems like the kind of guy who would, on his own volition, try not to take over the postseason news cycle. As others have said, the simplest answer is the most likely, he made the decision to retire but the news broke before he was ready for it. Probably wanted it sometime this week in the dead week.
I think there are 3 possibilities:
I think your 3 scenarios are correct, but my probability breakdown is more like 98/1/1. I suspect somebody in his camp mouthed off before he wanted it out, and he either formally announces his retirement this week, or shortly after the super bowl.
This is a red herring that several media sources keep chucking into the pond. He’s already earned that 15M; it’s a deferred signing bonus, not a roster bonus, so he doesn’t need to be on the roster as of 2/4 to earn it. He does owe the Bucs 16M of the 20M signing bonus he received for signing the extension last spring - 15M of which he has earned and is set to pay out this Friday - if he retires.
One possibility that I think is quite likely is that Brady's agent is telling Tampa that Brady will wait to file his retirement papers with the NFL until after June 1st if the Bucs let him keep the $16M. Brady's camp has some leverage here unless Tampa wants to incur a $32M dead cap hit for the 2022 season, as well as deal with a grievance filed by the GOAT, which is possible given the reason Brady signed the extension in the first place.
While this has no bearing on the insignificance of the 2/4 payment date, this is plausible in theory. However, it doesn’t really jive with the events of the last few days. If they’re negotiating over the bonus/retirement timing, then why is Brady reportedly calling Licht and Arians on Saturday to reassure them he hasn’t decided whether to play or retire? Seems like a stretch that he’d be negotiating over the timing of his retirement date while simultaneously telling the Bucs he is undecided about retiring. Once he broaches that discussion, the cat’s out of the bag because everyone knows Tom isn’t going to play another year to keep 16M. That kind of negotiation may occur, but I don’t see the evidence that is what has been happening (and it would be quite impressive if they kept that under wraps given the leaks springing everywhere).
I know he played for Tampa for 2 years, but way too much thanking of Tampa and not a single mention of New England. I know he already thanked people, but no one will remember you were a Buc in 20 years so stop pretending they matter.
Not really, as he did a lengthy thank you to them when he signed with Tampa. More notable that he forgot to thank Roger.
He also has heaped a lot of praise and gratitude on the Pats in a little series called ‘Man in the Arena’ that just aired.
I do not, mostly for reasons already stated. But Felger & Mazz are going to have a f*cking field day with it.
Yes you do. He won a title there; it's a big part of his legacy now.
One of the Channel 4 anchors is taking this really personally.
You can't deny it is beyond odd in his retirement announcement not one thing is mentioned about New England, whether he did previously or not when he left. It is his retirement announcement. It's not done on accident.
This is probably it.
He was, but he isn't leaving Tampa. This is a retirement announcement. It's beyond odd and if he doesn't have a separate statement coming out for New England shortly, it's wrong. I just can't believe he would be that dumb not to. I would be shocked if something is not coming. If it doesn't, I would be beyond disappointed.
Yeah I look forward to reading about it in here, and not actually listening. It will be somewhere along the Cringeworthy to Vomit Inducing spectrum.
I just got a "Breaking News" message from the Silver Spring Patch. That's Silver Spring, Maryland.
