If Tom Brady retires within the offseason, he’ll stroll away following one of many worst playoff video games of his profession.
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion had a tricky evening towards Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys, tossing his first red-zone interception with the Buccaneers in a 31-14 loss that ended Tampa Bay’s up-and-down season Monday evening.
Brady received’t be returning dwelling to the Bay Space for a rematch towards Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers within the NFC divisional spherical. He could also be going dwelling for good, nonetheless.
The 45-year-old, five-time Tremendous Bowl MVP already retired as soon as after final season solely to return 40 days later. He stated he’ll take extra time to make his resolution this time round.
“It’ll be at some point at a time, actually,” Brady stated.
Brady waved his cap to the gang as he jogged off the sphere for maybe the ultimate time and stopped to kiss his mother and father earlier than heading into the tunnel.
Earlier than leaving the rostrum, Brady thanked reporters, saying: “Hopefully, you realize, I really like this group. It’s an important place to be and thanks everybody for welcoming me. … Very grateful for the respect and hopefully I gave the identical factor again to you guys.”
Brady had been 7-0 towards Dallas earlier than this sport, together with a 19-3 highway win in Week 1.
Although he was solely sacked twice, the Cowboys pressured him into a number of throwaways and compelled a bunch of ill-advised passes.
He threw a career-most 66 passes, finishing 35 of them for 351 yards, two TDs and one interception. Brady had 65 makes an attempt for New England towards San Francisco on Dec. 16, 2012.
After the Buccaneers went three-and-out on their first two possessions, Brady led an extended drive earlier than issues fell aside.
On first down from the Cowboys 22, Brady rolled to his proper and had open area in entrance of him however threw incomplete throughout his physique into quadruple protection within the left nook of the top zone. A couple of performs later from the Cowboys 5, Brady threw the ball up for grabs behind the top zone the place the closest participant was Cowboys security Jayron Kearse, who made the choose.
“Not the best way we wished to finish it however we didn’t deserve it,” Brady stated. “Give them credit score. They performed a superb sport, made much more performs than we did.”
Brady hadn’t been shut out within the first half of playoff sport since his first one in 2001, the Tuck Rule sport on Jan. 19, 2002. The Patriots rallied to beat the Raiders in that sport.
Brady and the Bucs (8-10) had no likelihood for a comeback towards Dallas (13-5). Parsons and Co. dominated Brady from begin to end.
“It was typical of the best way we performed all 12 months, inefficient within the move sport, not excellent within the run sport, so it’s arduous to beat good groups like that,” Brady stated.
The Bucs lastly discovered the top zone when Brady related with Julio Jones on a 30-yard TD move proper earlier than the top of the third quarter. However Tampa’s protection gave a TD proper again and the Bucs couldn’t rating after reaching the Cowboys 2 on their subsequent drive.
Brady’s worst playoff loss was 33-14 to the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 10, 2010. This one got here shut.
It was a tumultuous season personally for Brady. His marriage to Gisele Bündchen ended once they introduced in October that their divorce was finalized. He had the primary shedding season of his 23-year profession, although the Buccaneers received the woeful NFC South and earned the No. 4 seed.
Brady is ready to develop into a free agent, so he may select to proceed his unprecedented profession with one other staff. There will probably be loads of curiosity in a participant who turns 46 in coaching camp subsequent season.
The Buccaneers need him again if he continues to play. Linebacker Lavonte David stated he’ll wait a number of weeks earlier than recruiting him.
Brady confirmed he has lots left within the common season regardless of taking part in behind an injury-depleted offensive line and with out star tight finish Rob Gronkowski, who retired within the offseason. He broke his personal NFL report for completions in a single season with 490, led the NFC with 4,694 yards and had 25 touchdowns with 9 interceptions.
Brady owns practically each NFL passing report, has received extra championships than any participant within the sport and is destined for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Not dangerous for a sixth-round draft choose.