The 2022 season came to a close for the Buccaneers on Monday night with a 31-14 loss to the Cowboys. That loss may also mark the end of Tom Brady’s time in Tampa Bay.
Despite all of his accolades, Brady looked like a shell of his former self in the blowout loss. Sure, he threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns, but that was on 66 attempts (35 completions). Oh yeah, he also threw an interception in the end zone when the game was still close.
After retiring and un-retiring last offseason, Brady’s future is once again up in the air after a disappointing end to his season.
Andrew Fillipponi and Danny Parkins of the Audacy Original Podcast “1st & Pod” talked about Brady’s performance and what he may need to do to find a place to play in 2023.
“If Brady did not have seven Super Bowl rings, if he wasn’t the greatest quarterback of all-time, we would’ve been talking more – meaning the National media – about Brady being Matt Ryan and Kirk Cousins if not for his reputation going into this game,” Fillipponi said (4:30 in player above). “That’s why the offseason now is going to be interesting because he can’t move. He is a statue quarterback. How many of these coaches – bright offensive minds – are going to want a quarterback who is legitimately no threat to run?”
When it became clear that the Buccaneers weren’t going to come back against the Cowboys, the attention turned to Brady and his future. He surely won’t want to go out this way, but has he shown enough to warrant a guaranteed spot on a contender?
“I’m wondering is he going to have to do one of these Brady don’t pay me, I’ll basically play for nothing to allow you to circumvent the salary cap-type deals to make himself appealing to these teams,” Fillipponi continued. “I think that’s what it’s going to take.”
If Brady wants to play next season there will undoubtedly be several suitors. However, there are bound to be doubts about the quarterback turning 46 years old in August.
“There are two things there. One, it depends how badly he wants to win because there are just not enough good quarterbacks in the NFL,” Parkins said, noting that he may not be able to go to somewhere like San Francisco given how this season ended.
“You’re right, he’s a statue,” Parkins agreed. “But someone is going to be left in the game of musical chairs without a place to sit.”
“OK, but that’s way different than 49ers, team that’s close to winning a championship,” Fillipponi said. “That’s way different than that.”
“He’s obviously smart. He gets the ball out quick. You want to have a very good offensive line,” Parkins said. “I don’t think he’s going to want to go out this way.”
Brady has a lucrative TV deal waiting for him upon retirement but it wouldn’t be surprising if he wants another crack at it after a poor showing on Monday night.
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