It may seem surprising Tom Brady would call it a career after a gut-wrenching playoff loss. The Buccaneers rallied back against the Rams from a 27-3 deficit and were one incredible Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp completion away from forcing overtime. Even though the Buccaneers won't be able to return their Super Bowl team for a third straight year, Brady led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns during his age-44 season.
Could the man who cannot stop really retire now? An old text message from Kurt Warner may explain Brady’s thinking.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham mentions the aforementioned text message in his latest Brady feature story, “The limitless life of Tom Brady.” Warner sent Brady the message in the aftermath of New England’s Divisional Round loss to the Ravens. At the time, the Patriots were in a nine-year Super Bowl drought, and Brady was reaching his upper-30s.
Warner told Brady the best quarterback doesn’t always win. It was the mantra he needed to hear.
“Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anybody else,” the text read.
Wickersham adds Brady “always remembered” Warner’s pep talk, which showed him there’s value in coming up short, as long as you learn from the experience.
“It was often in failure that Brady found successes,” Wickersham writes. “It’s why those who argued that he'd never leave New England after throwing a pick-six on his final throw were wrong -- and why those who argued this past week that he'd never walk away after a playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams were wrong.”
With Tampa Bay’s roster in question, Brady may have decided he would rather exit on a playoff team at the top of his game instead of playing out the string on a mediocre club fighting for a wild card berth. As Warner said, being the best means you win more than anybody else.
With seven Super Bowls, Brady has certainly accomplished that. His favorite ring may now be the last one.
