“Maybe it’s time to walk away” – Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers urged to call it quits by NFL Hall of Famer
Both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers' teams sit at 3-4. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South, but the Green Bay Packers have fallen 2.5 games behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Former quarterback Kurt Warner believes that at some point, these quarterbacks might need to consider walking away.
Every player gets to the point where they need to retire and Warner believes it's closer for those two than they or anyone else might realize. Warner told People magazine:
"I think both of those guys look like they're exhausted. It's OK to go, 'You know what? It's not how it used to be. I may not be who I used to be, or, it's just too hard overall to get everybody up to the standard. Maybe it is time to walk away.'"
He continued:
"It's not being defeated. That's not saying you can't do it anymore. I just think sometimes that stuff outweighs the joy of the game, which is what it looks like is happening for those two guys and I feel for them."
He likened it to his own last few seasons when he made the realization that he needed to retire:
"As I was going through the last couple years, it was becoming more and more prevalent that, 'Okay, this is taking too much from me and it's not just about enjoying the game anymore.' I mean, I kinda look at Tom Brady now, and that's how I feel."
Warner played 12 seasons before retiring, while Brady is in his 23rd season and Rodgers is in his 18th.
Are Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers going to retire soon?
Despite their overall poor play so far, there's no reason to expect that either quarterback will call it quits in the middle of the season. Both teams are still in the playoff hunt.
However, this might influence their futures beyond this season. Brady insists he's not planning on retiring this offseason despite a brief retirement last offseason. The team's struggles may force him to reconsider that decision.
Rodgers hasn't spoken of retirement, but the frustration he has had this season is clear. It has weighed on him and might force him to consider walking away a little bit earlier than initially planned.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit People Magazine and H/T Sportskeeda.