Tom Brady is reflecting on the biggest lesson he learned throughout his retirement ordeal last year.
During Monday’s episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast on SiriusXM, Brady — who retired from the NFL early last year only to return 40 days later — expressed how he has sympathy for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose football future remains unclear following Green Bay’s season finale on Sunday.
“I think the most important thing is the day after the season, and I made this mistake, is not to decide the future,” Brady said.
In the weeks following Brady’s 22nd season in the league, the seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his retirement in February. Just over a month later, however, the 45-year-old quarterback reversed course and rejoined the Buccaneers.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, here in May 2019, announced their divorce in October 2022.Getty Images for The Met Museum/
Although Brady and the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South earlier this month, this season wasn’t without its challenges for the quarterback, who finalized his divorce from wife Gisele Bündchen in October after 13 years of marriage. Page Six reported in September how Brady’s decision to unretire fueled a series of arguments with the couple.
As for Rodgers, whose 18th season ended Sunday with a 20-16 loss to the Lions, he said postgame he’ll take some time before making a ruling on his career.
“It’s a feeling,” Rodgers said Sunday of what it’ll come down to in the offseason. “Do I feel like I have anything left to prove to myself? Do I want to go back and gear up for another grind? Or is it time? Is it time to step away? Is it time for another voice to be leading this team?”
Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady during a game against the Falcons on Jan. 8, 2023.Getty ImagesThe 39-year-old Rodgers added Sunday that he will not drag out the process.
“I have a lot of pride in what I’ve accomplished in this league but I’m also a realist and I understand where we’re at as a team. We’re a young team, there could be some changes with some of the older guys and it could be time to step away. But I could take some time and say hell no, man, I need to get back out there and go on another run. But I’ll have to see what it feels like once I’m away from it,” Rodgers said.
Brady voiced Monday that while he believes Rodgers is more than capable of playing next season, the Packers quarterback should be allowed the time he needs to figure out the next steps.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field following a loss to the Lions on Jan. 8, 2023.Getty Images “Aaron, in my belief, is spectacular, he can obviously continue to play, and he has all the ability in the world to do that, and there’s a lot of things that come into play, and he’ll make that decision when it’s right for him, and everyone should give him the time and space to do it,” Brady said.
In 17 games this season, Rodgers threw for 3,695 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
