Report Suggests Tom Brady Will Retire, But Is It True?

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington initially reported that Brady plans to retire, but a string of conflicting reports puts it into question.

Today, no matter how it ends, will be the day every NFL fan remembers. A series of conflicting reports regarding 22-year NFL veteran Tom Brady's career status were released on social media. This, predictably, is putting the sports world through a roller coaster of emotions. Let's catch up on what has unfolded.

First, ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported that "The G.O.A.T." had buckled his chinstrap for the last time after ending his final season with a divisional round 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me.

More coming on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ. pic.twitter.com/6CHWmMlyXg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2022

It didn't take long for the counterattack, however. Once Schefter and Darlington released their report, multiple reporters for multiple respected outlets -including even an ESPN reporter- chimed in with opposite information.

It started with Brady's longtime agent, Don Yee. He called the report "speculation" and that Brady "will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy".

Statement from Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee: pic.twitter.com/vbUhSToYtT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2022

Afterward, ESPN's Jenna Laine came out with a report that Brady hasn't reached out to Bruce Arians as of yet. And then national reporter Michael Silver reported that Brady hasn't contacted Licht about a final decision, either.

Tom Brady hasn’t informed the Bucs that he’s retiring. Bruce Arians told me, “He hasn’t. Not even close to making up his mind yet. He told us.”

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) January 29, 2022

Report for @BallySports: Tom Brady contacted @Buccaneers GM Jason Licht and told him he has not yet made a final decision on retirement, disputing the ESPN report. Licht is respecting Brady's process and waiting for a definitive answer, whenever it comes, from the QB.

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 29, 2022

The Athletic's Jeff Howe added that Brady called the Bucs Saturday afternoon to tell the Bucs he's "not even close" on a decision.

Tom Brady called the Bucs late this afternoon to inform them he's not even close to making a decision about retirement, according to a source.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 29, 2022

NFL Network's Mike Giraradi also reported that Brady's father, Tom Brady Sr., called Schefter's and Darlington's report "complete conjecture." 

Checked in with Tom Brady Sr. who tells me, and I quote, "This story Mike is total conjecture. Tommy has not made a final decision one way or the other and anybody else that says that he has is absolutely wrong." #TomBrady #Buccaneers

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 29, 2022

So, obviously Schefter and Darlington were either given bad information or this is more about bad timing, a la Andrew Luck's retirment process, than anything. Meaning, those closest to Brady are trying to buy time in order to allow the seven-time Super Bowl champion time to make the announcement on his terms and no one else's. 

And that's what NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network a little less than an hour ago. Apparently, Brady does intend to retire. Saturday's deflections are more of a maneuver than the truth.

From @NFLNetwork: Tom Brady does intend to retire, per several people close to him. The pushback appears to be based on timing, rather than his eventual decision. pic.twitter.com/GSTqDkKcjF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2022

Whatever the final outcome may be, make sure to check back in for more updates as they come in.

Stay tuned to AllBucs for further coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and other NFL news and analysis. Follow along on social media at @SIBuccaneers on Twitter and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sports Illustrated on Facebook.

Main photo credit: John A. Babiak/@Photog_JohnB