Tom Brady thinks he has enough gas left in his tank for another half dozen seasons or more, even though he’s almost 40 and has been in the NFL for nearly two decades.
The five-time Super Bowl champion quarterback told New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft he plans to be on the football field for at least another “six or seven years,” according to Sports Illustrated.
“As recently as 2 or 3 days ago, he assured me that he’d be willing to play another 6 or 7 years,” said Kraft.
“There’s no one that would be happier than I, and our fan base,” Kraft added, per The Guardian.
Playing another six or seven years would mean Brady is looking at retiring at 45 or 46.
Brady, known for his dedication to a life of health and wellness, has only sat out one season in his 17-year career due to injury – not taking into account his recent four-game suspension for “deflategate.”
To some, having played in the NFL for 17 years, accomplishing what Brady’s accomplished, and being 39 years, this would be the perfect exit point. However, after recording one of his best passer ratings last season and then leading his team to another Lombardi Trophy, Brady is perhaps making the right decision by staying put.
“I remember after our first Super Bowl in ’01, going down in the training room in the old Foxboro Stadium, three days after we won, he’s in there with the music blaring working out,” said Kraft.
“He’s really dedicated. The thing that’s amazing about him, to this day he hasn’t changed as a human being in how he relates to people, but also how he works out,” said Kraft. “The only thing that’s probably changed is how he eats and his diet. I’m not sure avocado ice cream is right for me, but if I could look like him and perform half as well, I guess I’d do it.”
Brady’s contract is up in 2019, but there’s no way he won’t be retiring in a Patriots jersey, given his relationship with Kraft and what he’s meant to that organization and fan base over the years.
That being said, if and when the Patriots extend Brady’s contract, they’ll be tasked with doing the same for Coach Bill Belichick – something Kraft is surely hoping for.
“I hope he coaches into his 80s,” Kraft said about the 64-year-old head coach, Sports Illustrated noted. “I see Warren Buffet and Rupert Murdoch in their mid-80s and they’re performing well.”