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Tom Brady discusses what it'll take for him to consider retirement from NFL

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra08/23/21

SamraSource

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Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

Following a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, retirement isn’t on the mind of Tom Brady. However, he discussed what it would take for him to consider retirement from the National Football League.

“I’ll know when the time’s right,” Brady said about retirement, via Peter King. “If I can’t . . . if I’m not a championship-level quarterback, then I’m not gonna play. If I’m a liability to the team, I mean, no way. But if I think I can win a championship, then I’ll play.”

Evidently, Brady has a tremendous shot at more championships with the Buccaneers. With many doubters wondering if he could win outside of New England, the quarterback squashed his detractors by doing so last season.

This season, the Buccaneers return every starter on offense from their historic run to the Super Bowl. With Brady leading an offense featuring weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski, the franchise has a great chance at repeating.

Last season, Brady also had one of the best statistical seasons of his career. The former Michigan quarterback threw for 4,633 yards, accumulating 40 touchdowns along the way.

Furthermore, the Buccaneers have a championship window that seems to be open for the time being. Along with the bevy of weapons at Brady’s disposal on offense, the team also features a fantastic collection of talent on the defensive side of the football.

However, despite all this, the Buccaneers currently have the second best odds to win the Super Bowl. Moreover, the Kansas City Chiefs are the favorites, projected to avenge their loss to the aforementioned Buccaneers. 

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Still, Brady is unflappable in his quest for another Super Bowl ring. If he stays true to his word on retirement, we shouldn’t expect to see it anytime soon.

“I’m hoping this is my best year.”

Additionally, Tom Brady is hoping to improve upon his first season in Tampa Bay. While it’s a tall task to improve upon a season in which he threw 40 touchdowns and brought the Buccaneers to glory, Brady believes he can do it.

“I love playing football,” Brady told King, per his new Football Morning in America column. “[Offensive coordinator] Byron Leftwich said something really good the other day: It’s a very simple game that’s so hard to execute. It’s a totally imperfect game that you’re trying to do as perfectly as possible. Every day I come out trying to do it. I’m hoping this is my best year.”

It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility for Brady to improve in 2021. This season, he’s healthier than he was last season, and he’s entering his second year inside a new offensive system. Even for a wily veteran like Brady, it helps.

At 44-years old, Brady is in uncharted territory. Retirement is far from his mind, and the will to have his best season yet is on the forefront. 

There’s no reason to doubt the Seven-time Super Bowl Champion.