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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady turned 45 on Wednesday, and there is actually no telling when the seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion would possibly hold up the cleats. Aaron Rodgers, then again, is a distinct story.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback told reporters Wednesday that he would not envision himself taking part in within the NFL when he is 45.
“No, I do not, however glad birthday, Tom,” Rodgers mentioned when requested if he noticed himself taking part in till that age.
Brady has lengthy been all for taking part in soccer till his age-45 season. Nonetheless, he announced his retirement from the NFL in February earlier than unretiring 40 days later to return to the Buccaneers for a 3rd season.
At this level, it is unclear when the long run Corridor of Famer will formally retire, particularly if he continues taking part in at a excessive degree.
“I’ll know when the time’s proper,” Brady informed NBC Sports’ Peter King final summer time. “If I can’t … if I’m not a championship-level quarterback, then I’m not gonna play. If I’m a legal responsibility to the group, I imply, no method. But when I feel I can win a championship, then I’ll play.”
In the course of the 2021 season, he confirmed no indicators of slowing down, finishing 67.5 p.c of his passes for five,316 yards and 43 touchdowns in opposition to 12 interceptions. It was simply the second time he had thrown for greater than 5,000 yards in his profession.
Whereas Brady helped lead the Bucs to the playoffs, they had been eradicated by the Los Angeles Rams within the divisional spherical.
Now Brady enters his twenty third NFL season eyeing his eighth Tremendous Bowl title, and he and the Buccaneers could have a strong probability to seize the championship as they boast one of many league’s finest offenses.
Tampa Bay’s offensive unit, which incorporates Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph, Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White, will wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
If Brady wins yet one more title, it is arduous to think about he’ll hold up the cleats forward of the 2023 season.
As for Rodgers, he’ll flip 39 in December. He’s a 10-time Professional Bowler, four-time All-Professional, four-time MVP and a Tremendous Bowl champion. Like Brady, he had an amazing 2021 marketing campaign, finishing 68.9 p.c of his passes for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions.
Nonetheless, Rodgers and the Packers had been eradicated from the divisional spherical with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
If Rodgers performs out his contract, he could have no less than 5 extra seasons so as to add one other Tremendous Bowl title to his checklist of accomplishments. He is below contract by way of the 2026 marketing campaign and can grow to be a free agent when he is 43.
Primarily based on his feedback on Wednesday, it is cheap to imagine that will likely be when Rodgers hangs up the cleats, if not sooner.
