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Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is “expected” to retire for good at the end of the season, after briefly walking away from the NFL earlier this year.
After an unrivalled 22-year career, which included a lengthy list of individual records and accolades, the star quarterback announced his retirement on Instagram in February.
The decision came about a week after Tampa Bay’s season-ending 30-27 loss to eventual champions Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round.
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It was one of the biggest moments in the history of the sport, as Brady brought the curtain down on a career that left many believing that he was the greatest NFL player of all time.
While the NFL was still months away from ushering in a new era without the biggest name in their game, the off-season drama was far from over.
Brady sensationally back flipped on his retirement plans about six weeks after his initial decision, as he returned to the Buccaneers.
But NFL insider Ian Rapoport believes “the end is coming” for the three-time NFL MVP, as he continues his quest for an eighth championship ring.
“The 45-year-old is heading into what is expected to be his final season in the NFL, according to sources with knowledge of his thinking,” Rapoport revealed yesterday, before the Bucs’ 19-3 win over Dallas.
“He has never said it publicly, but multiple parties involved acknowledge that after last year’s retirement and then unretirement, the end is coming.
“That is the understanding, that this is the final year.”
Brady could potentially reach another Super Bowl this season, as the Buccaneers look to repeat their championship heroics from a couple of seasons ago.
And there’s plenty of belief that he can get it done.
Hall of Famer Kurt Warner couldn’t rule out Brady adding another ring to his collection, but thinks that it’s also likely that he retires.
“It’s gotta be more likely that he retires (before reaching another Super Bowl),” Warner said on NFL GameDay.
“After everything that we’ve seen and the fact that he retired in the off-season and then came back, I believe this is his last year. I believe this is it for him.
“But that doesn’t mean that he’s not likely that he’s going to get back to the Super Bowl and win another Super Bowl.
“If I’ve got to pick one or the other, this will be his last year so that to me has to be a little bit more likely.”
Brady took a mysterious 11-day break during the pre-season, with Rapoport claiming that he went to a private resort in the Bahamas with his family.
The signal caller returned for a game against the Colts, before Tampa Bay’s season opener against Dallas on Monday (AEST).
While Dallas struggled to get anything going on defence, Brady did what was needed as he threw 18-27 for 212 yards and one touchdown.
But even though he can still compete at the highest level, is his fairytale story, which started when he was drafted 199th overall in 2000, about to come to an end?
Speaking before the Week 1 clash with the Cowboys, Brady couldn’t necessarily rule out the possibility that this is his fine season.
“I think we’re all getting one day older at a time,” Brady said last week.
“We’re all not sure whether we’re going to be here next year or not, that’s the reality for every player, every coach, every parent.
“You never know. We should all take advantage of the opportunity that we have.”
Brady and the Buccaneers will look to extend their promising start to the season to two wins next week, when they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints.
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