“The retirement letter means jack diddly squat” - Mike Florio names NFC West team that Tom Brady could join for 2023
Tom Brady has officially ridden off into the sunset, but unofficially, pundits are beginning to call "balogna." In an article published on Pro Football Talk, NFL analyst Mike Florio decreed that the retirement letter was purely a political move in what could be a potential plan to rejoin the NFL and revisit the gridiron one last time... again. Here's how Florio put it:
Will No. 12 skip the 2023 NFL season?
"There are real questions about the quarterback position for a team that is otherwise among the NFL’s elite. ... Brady wanted to sign with the 49ers in 2020. The 49ers politely declined."
FOX's Greg Olsen says that he’s not going to “roll over and die” if Tom Brady attempts to take his spot on the broadcasting booth.
"Never let myself lose the battle."
Olsen’s salary will be reduced from $10M to $3M once Brady begins his broadcasting career on the network. https://t.co/sDdh5iTV1e
He continued, claiming that No. 12 could be the player that finally gets the 49ers over the hump to Lombardi Lane:
"Now, with Jimmy Garoppolo finally moving on and real questions about Lance and Purdy, why shouldn’t the 49ers make a move for Brady? [He] could be the missing piece to the first San Francisco Super Bowl victory in 29 years."
Hey @Autograph family, we’re one month away from my unofficial retirement party in Tampa on March 16th. Can’t wait to celebrate with everyone from The Huddle.
You down @RobGronkowski? Going over the list now and think I can get you in…
Lastly, he predicted that the quarterback's previous commitments will not play a role in holding him back:
"Brady’s contract will expire next month, and he’ll become a free agent. The retirement letter he sent to the league and the union means jack diddly squat. He can play whenever, wherever, and for whomever he chooses."
Tom Brady inches closer to six-week milestone
Just over three weeks have passed since the quarterback made the announcement on social media that he was done playing the sport. The announcement came one year to the day after his original retirement in 2022.
His 2022 retirement lasted about six weeks and the quarterback returned to the fold around the time of free agency kicking off. With free agency on the horizon once again, fans will be watching with bated breath to see if he is able to resist the temptation to jump back into the grind.
One clue fans are pointing to is the quarterback's reveal that his upcoming work calling game for FOX will take place in 2024, leaving him with an entire season to do other things, or fit in one last ride.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit Pro Football Talk and H/T Sportskeeda.