New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady still wasn’t providing any certainties about his future after a playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.
He’s a free agent in 2020, with an expiring contract. His deal reportedly includes a clause which prevents the Patriots from placing a franchise tag on him. So in theory, he can’t test the open market, if that’s what he wants. Of course, Patriots coach and general manager Bill Belichick can negotiate an extension with Brady at any point, if that’s what the coach wants.
Brady said Saturday night that “it’s pretty unlikely, hopefully unlikely” that he retires this offseason. His teammates said he intends to play in 2020. So where will that be? Does he think he’ll play for the Patriots in 2020? And does he want to play for New England in 2020?
“I love the Patriots,” Brady said after the game. “They’ve obviously got the greatest organization. And playing for Mr. (Robert) Kraft for all these years and for coach Belichick, there’s nobody whose had a better career than me for just being with them, so I’m very blessed. I don’t know what the future looks like. I’m not going to predict it.”
Belichick was asked if he plans for Brady to return in 2020.
“Yeah, right now we just finished the game, so we’re just focused on this game, OK? I mean, really,” Belichick said Saturday after the game.
The end of the game ran counter to everything we knew about Brady’s career. He got the ball, with four minutes and at a one-point deficit in the fourth. But the offense went 3-and-out. That’s usually when Brady wins the game. That’s usually when the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) makes magic. Yet, he didn’t.
Then with less than a minute left on the clock, Brady got the ball once more — and threw a pick-six. And in a strange turn that could make Patriots fans sick, it’s possible that is his final throw for the Patriots.
“It happens when you throw the ball. I don’t know,” Brady said. “It should’ve been a 99-yard touchdown. That would’ve been pretty cool. But it wasn’t.”
Brady, Belichick and the Patriots will deliberate on the future in New England, a decision which could have a tremendous impact on the NFL landscape for years to come.
