Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has a hunch NFL legend Tom Brady has played his final game after being booted out of the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
The Cowboys rolled into Raymond James Stadium and surged into a 24-0 lead in the wildcard clash, easing to a 31-14 win to book a mouth-watering divisional round duel with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Brady threw for 351 yards, two touchdowns and an interception with the Bucs unable to keep pace with Dak Prescott and the Cowboys all game. For Brady, the game encapsulated a season of offensive struggles, with his receivers often not on the same wavelength and they could not build any momentum until it was too little, too late.
After the game, Brady's press conference set off speculation of what the future holds for the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who is an unrestricted free agent heading into the off-season, with theories the 45-year-old could retire for a second time despite strong interest from the Las Vegas Raiders among others.
Allen, fresh off a narrow win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday is looking ahead to a clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he believes Brady's manner with reporters – offering heartfelt thanks for their coverage and "respect" – suggests an iconic career has come to an end.
"I don't know, when it happened last year and he retired, I told people I would believe it when he's not playing the first game, but the way that he talked in his press conference last night, it seemed a little too sentimental for my liking in terms of holding onto the belief that he's going to continue to play," Allen told Kyle Brandt's Basement. But we'll see. That's up to him and the people in his life around him, but I know there are going to be teams calling.
Should Brady choose to play on into his 24th season, a reunion with former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the Raiders is the frontrunner, but the Pats, the Niners and the Tennessee Titans have also been mooted as possible landing spots.
For now, Brady's future is uncertain, but his words in his final press conference of the season hint his three-year run with the Bucs is over.
"I just want to say thank you, guys, for everything this year, I appreciate all your effort. I know it's hard for you guys, too. It's hard for us players to make it through," he said.
"You guys have got a tough job and I appreciate all you guys do to cover us and everyone watches and is a big fan of the sport. We're very grateful for everyone's support.
I love this organisation, it's a great place to be and thank you, everybody, for welcoming me. I'm very grateful for the respect and I hope I gave the same thing back to you guys, so thank you very much, I appreciate it"
