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Is Tom Brady Done After This Season? He Sure Doesn’t Sound Like It.

   DailyWire.com

With the New England Patriots looking increasingly pedestrian and a hobbled Tom Brady’s performance falling below his lofty MVP standard, many analysts have begun to wonder aloud if Brady’s decorated 19-year NFL career will finally end after this season.

In his weekly interview Monday with Westwood One’s Jim Gray following the Patriots’ victory Sunday, which clinched the AFC East for a record 10th straight season, Brady addressed the rumors about his retirement.

“I absolutely believe I will,” the 41-year-old said when asked if he will return next year (transcript via CBS Boston). “I know I’ve talked about it for a long time; I have goals to not only play next year, but beyond that. I’m going to try to do it as best I possibly can. I’m going to give it everything I have, like I always have. It will certainly be a challenge. I don’t take any of these things for granted, but I hope I can keep playing, and I hope I can keep playing at a championship level.”

Brady said that after almost two decades in the league, he continues to view football as the greatest “gift” in his life.

“I’ve been able to be in a career for 19 years that I love,” he said. “I wake up every day excited to go to work. I wake up every day fulfilled with what I’m doing. I don’t think there’s any greater gift in my life than to have that. Along with that has come a lot of other very cool opportunities, but in my heart and soul, I love playing the sport of football, and it’s brought me so much joy in my life. It tests you in so many ways.”

He continued: “I’ve been dealing it for a long time. There’s anxiousness and nerves, and joy and happiness. There’s disappointment and frustration. The emotions run the gamut. But if you can stay and build your mental toughness, it’s just been incredibly rewarding. I’m a very, very lucky man.”

Asked about his reported MCL injury, which reporters say has hampered him this season, Brady said he’s “feeling good,” particularly compared to other seasons around this time.

Though the Patriots have not been the dominant team they’ve been in the past, they’ve continued to rack up wins. Their 10-5 record puts them only behind the Kansas City Chiefs (11-4), who, unlike the Patriots, still haven’t clinched their division yet, though they’re poised to do so. Below is the current playoff picture:

AFC

Division Leaders

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) (clinched playoff berth, tied for AFC West)
  2. New England Patriots (10-5) (clinched AFC East)
  3. Houston Texans (10-5) (clinched playoff berth, lead AFC South)
  4. Baltimore Ravens (9-6) (lead AFC North)

Wild Card

  1. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) (clinched playoff berth, tied for AFC West)
  2. Indianapolis Colts (9-6) (in contention for AFC South, possible wild card)

In Contention

  1. Tennessee Titans (9-6) (in contention for AFC South, possible wild card)
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6-1) (in contention for AFC North, possible wild card)

NFC

Division Leaders

  1. New Orleans Saints (13-2) (clinched AFC South, no. 1 seed in conference)
  2. Los Angeles Rams (12-3) (clinched NFC West)
  3. Chicago Bears (11-4) (clinched NFC North)
  4. Dallas Cowboys (9-6) (clinched NFC East)

Wild Card

  1. Seattle Seahawks (9-6) (clinched playoff berth)
  2. Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1) (in contention for playoff berth)

In Contention

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) (in contention for playoff berth)

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The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Is Tom Brady Done After This Season? He Sure Doesn’t Sound Like It.