Arians says that he believes Brady will return next season
TAMPA — Count Bruce Arians among those who would be surprised if quarterback Tom Brady didn’t play for the Tampa Bay Bucs next season.
Brady will turn 45 in August and has one year remaining on his contract, although the salary-cap hit wouldn’t be too punitive if he decided to retire after 21 seasons.
After passing for a career-high 5,316 yards and leading the NFL with 43 touchdowns this season, there’s no doubt Brady is playing the best football of his career.
With the Buccaneers’ 30-27 last-play home playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, there also are other factors to consider. The Bucs have a slew of players who will become free agents in March, so it’s unlikely the band can stay together for a third straight year.
In addition, Brady’s three children are getting to the age when they are involved in a lot of school activities, and he knows how much his family sacrifices for him to continue to play.
But Arians is basing his belief that Brady will return on how much enthusiasm and love for the game the future Hall of Famer still has.
Each Friday, the Bucs participate in a quarterback challenge judged by their position coach, Clyde Christensen.
Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask and Ryan Griffin take turns throwing footballs through padded tackling donuts anchored to moving golf carts and hitting the cross bar on the goal post, among other inventive challenges.
Brady probably wins more than his share, but it’s the sheer competitiveness he still exhibits that has convinced Arians he’s not done.
“The way he was at practice
[Friday], I would be shocked if he didn’t [play next year],” Arians said. “You know they have that Friday quarterback challenge, and he came flying out of the locker room, sprinting two or three fields away and couldn’t wait to get into the challenge. He was like a little kid. I would be shocked.”
Regardless of what Brady decides about his future, Arians said he will be back as Bucs coach. He turns 70 on Oct. 3.