Tom Brady could still go to the Super Bowl next month despite losing in the NFL playoffs as Fox Sports hope to place the iconic quarterback in the commentary booth.
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.
Super Bowl LVII will be played at State Farm Stadium in Arizona and Fox - one of the leading networks in the United States - are gearing up for their coverage of the championship game, which takes place next month. Brady is included in those plans even though the Buccaneers did not make it to the big game amid a disappointing season for the NFC South franchise.
Fox are hoping the GOAT will start his analyst career for the Super Bowl even if Brady hasn’t retired or made a decision over his future ahead of the 2023 season. The broadcaster are reportedly creating multiple contingency plans to figure out how - and when - Brady will appear on their coverage.
Plans range from joining the ‘Fox NFL Sunday’ crew during pregame, halftime and postgame show, but Brady could even join Fox’s leading broadcast team of play-by-play caller Kevin Burkhardt and colour commentator Greg Olsen. The network have also signed Brady to a 10-year, $375 million to join the booth once his career ends but plans are in place to streamline the NFL icon in order for him to call Super Bowl LVII.
“For those wondering about Tom Brady/Fox NFL,” wrote Richard Dietsch of The Athletic. “Multiple industry sources say Fox Sports has no plans to use Brady in the booth for the Super Bowl.
“You never know with the pregame given how long that show goes. But Burkhardt/Olsen is the plan. Fox Sports declined comment on it.”
There is no timeline for Brady to begin his sportscasting career and retirement doesn't appear to be on the horizon for the seven-time Super Bowl champion. After the Cowboys crushed the Buccaneers, there was a palpable sense of finality in Brady’s post-match press conference but this could 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.
