Tom Brady, former Buccaneers teammate spotted at Jon Jones' UFC heavyweight title event
Tom Brady and Mike Evans, Brady's former top target with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, were spotted at the latest UFC event featuring Jon Jones. The two were pictured sitting right near the action.
Brady retired at the end of the season, so it's very possible he'll show up at these kinds of events frequently. Now that he has some free time, he has to fill it with something since he can't start his broadcasting career yet.
Tom Brady sitting with Mike Evans tonight at #UFC285: https://t.co/UlkSGcApoJ
Brady and Evans were a prolific duo during their time together as Evans routinely put up incredible statistical seasons with Brady throwing to him.
Is Tom Brady really done in the NFL?
While it appears that Tom Brady is currently enjoying the retired life by watching UFC events live, there is a question over whether he will truly stay retired. He already went back on his word once on that matter.
This time, however, it certainly feels final. He is set to join the FOX broadcast crew in 2024, so he'd only have one year to return. If he comes up short again, it's not going to be a great way to go out but he would have a few options.
Additionally, 2022-2023 was one of Tom Brady's worst seasons in many ways. It was a down year statistically, especially after being an MVP candidate in 2021-2022.
It was also a bad year for his team. They were 8-9 and wouldn't have made the playoffs if it wasn't for the poor play of the rest of the NFC South. It's not a situation he's eager to return to.
Even though he's a free agent and could go anywhere he wants, there aren't a lot of teams he'd want to go to. He would have options, but how many represent one more legitimate shot at the Super Bowl?
That also precludes the idea that Brady will even be as good as he was last season. The decline appears to be on, so there's no telling how bad he'd be in 2023.
Brady retired and given the circumstances, it feels final.