Tom Brady may not be thinking about his retirement plans. He seems to be putting that off. But New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is starting to devise some options for the quarterback, who played 20 years for the New England Patriots.
Brady has a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will get him through the 2022 season. At that point, it’s anyone’s guess on what he’ll do next. Kraft, however, is keeping his fingers crossed for one particular outcome — Kraft wants Brady to rejoin the Patriots.
“He did so much for us,” Kraft said during an NFL Network appearance ahead of Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Buccaneers. “We had 20 great years. How many other situations are there in the 102-year history of the NFL where a coach and quarterback have remained the same for 20 years?
” … Life has its twist and turns. And, look, I’m always rooting for Tommy except when he’s playing us. In the end, I hope and believe he’ll come back here, we’ll give him his red jacket, just like we gave you, and he’ll retire a Patriot.”
Robert Kraft has nothing but love for Tom Brady#TheReturn | @WillieMcGinest | @heykayadams | @Patriots pic.twitter.com/Zd89zOzP6C
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) October 3, 2021
There’s a chance Kraft is holding out hope that Brady can rejoin New England for a season (or more). But that seems unrealistic, with the Patriots developing rookie quarterback Mac Jones and Brady clearly loving his time in Tampa. But of course, anything is possible.
What is more likely: Kraft is hoping he can get Brady to sign a one-day contract when he retires. That way, Brady can finish his career with the Patriots — at least nominally.
