Buffalo Bills star Jordan Poyer has urged NFL icon Tom Brady to spurn another year and retire to be with his family.
On Monday night, Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers were comprehensively defeated 31-14 by the Dallas Cowboys to end the iconic quarterback’s 23rd NFL season. Brady doffed his cap to the fans and kissed his parents before disappearing down the Raymond James Stadium tunnel, suggesting his time in Florida is over.
After perhaps the toughest season both on and off the field in his illustrious career, Brady will not rush into making any decisions over his future. He famously retired last offseason only to reverse his decision 40 days later, and the 45-year-old will not make the same mistake again.
Meanwhile, Poyer is gearing up to face the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs after the Bills saw off the Miami Dolphins last weekend. The 31-year-old poked some fun at Brady and suggested he should walk away from the sport after 23 years.
“Tom [Brady], you know I love you and I feel like I’ve been riding for you all year,” Poyer said on his show The Jordan Poyer Podcast. “You did everything you could’ve did in this league.
“I understand you love this game. Go be with your kids, man.”
After the Cowboys crushed the Buccaneers, there was a palpable sense of finality in Brady’s post-match press conference. This could largely be due to the imminent end of his three-year stay in Tampa as his contract is set to expire this offseason.
Speculation has been rife regarding what Brady could do in 2023, with retirement mooted along with finding a new team. The 45-year-old has been linked with a sensational return to the New England Patriots, the franchise where he won six Super Bowls, as well as move to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Poyer clearly has respect for the seven-time Super Bowl champion as he referred to himself as one of his biggest supporters earlier this season. However, the safety believes it’s time for Brady to retire from the NFL rather than exploring another opportunity elsewhere after the Cowboys defeat.
“I didn't like watching that game,” Poyer added. “It was hard to watch. You're down 27-0 at halftime (it was 18-0). He was defeated.
“You could see he was defeated. I still think he obviously knows everything about everything, the insides and out of football. But it does take 11 to play the game.
“Go be with your kids, Tom. I appreciate everything you've done in this league. I got two picks off of you, one to the crib. Lost both games. I'm 0-11 against you. Yes, please go. Go be with your kids, Tom.”
Poyer’s Bills take on the Bengals at Orchard Park on Sunday night.
