Tom Brady Announces His Retirement From Football ‘For Good’

One of the biggest questions going into the offseason surrounded the future of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. As a free agent, he was free to go anywhere he chose with many speculating about the possibility of him joining the Las Vegas Raiders or the Miami Dolphins.

But at the age of 45 and after 23 seasons in the NFL, there was also the possibility of Brady choosing to retire. Of course last year Brady announced his retirement from the NFL before changing his mind just 40 days later and returning to the Buccaneers.

But this time it looks as if Brady is leaving for good as he announced his retirement from the NFL Wednesday morning on social media, via ESPN:

Tom Brady says he is retiring “for good” from football, ending a storied 23-year NFL career during which the star quarterback won seven Super Bowls and set numerous records.

Brady announced his decision Wednesday on social media, saying he “wouldn’t change a thing” about his career.

Tom Brady is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the NFL and certainly is the greatest quarterback of all time. He holds the record for most career completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns by a wide margin, but what he’s most known for is winning.

Brady is a seven-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Super Bowl MVP, just dominating the 2000s with the New England Patriots. He also was a three-time regular season MVP, a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection.

This announcement will obviously have a major effect on the Raiders’ offseason as it was well known that they were targeting Brady in hopes of bringing him in as their quarterback next season. But with that now being off the table, the Raiders will have to pivot elsewhere.

One possibility could be Jimmy Garoppolo. The former 49ers starter nearly parted ways with them last season, but would ultimately stay around and have great success once again before going down with a broken foot. Like Brady, Garoppolo is very familiar with the offensive system from his time in New England where Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator, and as a free agent, the Raiders could sign him outright.

But there figures to be competition for his services, especially now with Brady retired. The Raiders could always go the trade route with the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Lamar Jackson being possibilities, not to mention the team has the seventh overall pick in the draft and could select their newest signal caller there, or even look to move up.