Tom Brady has been linked with a sensational return to the New England Patriots once he leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next summer - and wherever the iconic quarterback plays, records will follow.
Brady inked a one-year contract earlier in the year when he remarkably decided to reverse his retirement, signing a fully guaranteed deal worth $15million (£12.4m). The seven-time Super Bowl champion has a lucrative gig to enter the commentary booth at FOX Sports whenever he decides to retire, but he could continue for a 24th season.
While the Bucs will undoubtedly look to retain his services, there will be other options available to Brady - including a potential move to the San Francisco 49ers, his boyhood team. However, he could be interested in a stunning return to Foxborough, where Brady spent the majority of his career.
The 45-year-old has a strong relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft while there is mutual respect between Brady and his former head coach Bill Belichick. The duo are the greatest quarterback-head coach tandem in NFL history, winning six Super Bowl rings during their time in New England together.
If Brady did return to New England, what records could he set?
Most matches in NFL history
Including the playoffs, Brady has already played in more games than any non-specialist in NFL history. He has played in 376 games - 329 regular season clashes and 47 playoff matches - which places him ahead of kicker Gary Anderson (375) in third.
Kicker Morten Andersen is another year away at 393 while Brady’s old team-mate Adam Vinatieri is the record-holder with 397, some 21 matches ahead of the iconic quarterback. He will have the record should he play in the 2023 season.
Fourth-quarter comebacks
He will undoubtedly be eyeing the record for most fourth-quarter comebacks, especially because it is currently held along with his great rival Peyton Manning. They both have 43 after Brady’s sensational drive to defeat the Los Angeles Rams, and he could take sole ownership of this record by the end of the 2022 season - but if he doesn’t, he will have plenty of opportunities in New England.
300-yard passing games
It is selective, but many consider 300-yard passing games as the box score benchmark for whether a quarterback has had a productive passing game. New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees owns the record with 123 such games, while Brady is second with 111 - 12 games behind.
This means it is possible for Brady to claim the record for himself if he does indeed continue playing next season, although the record for most 300-yard passing games in a single season is held by Brees, who had 13 in 2011. Last year, Brady tied with Justin Herbert for the most games with at least 300 passing yards with nine.
50 playoff games
Brady is generally in a league of his own when it comes to records, so it might be wiser to focus on being the first to key milestones. He needs to play in just three more playoff games to be the first player in NFL history to compete in 50 such matches in his career. The quarterback has 35 wins in his 47 playoff contests.
Oldest player in NFL history
This one would take some commitment from Brady to continue playing in the NFL for the next few years, but he could have George Blanda’s seemingly unbreakable record in his sights. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Blanda became the oldest man to ever play in the league when the quarterback and kicker retired in 1976 aged 48. He had played in 26 seasons.
