The NFL will be without Tom Brady for the first time this millennium when the 2023 season kicks off, after the seven-time Super Bowl officially announced his retirement at the start of the month.
After teasing us with an initial retirement last year, Brady finally decided to call it time on February 1 after a stunning NFL career. Brady retires as the most successful player to ever feature in the NFL, breaking a whole host of records along the way.
Brady proved this season that he can still play at the highest level, but the 45-year-old decided it was best to step aside and focus on his future endeavours. However, the NFL's decision to extend the regular season may have led to his career-ending decision.
In 1978, the NFL went from being a 14-game season to 16, and it remained this way until 2021 when another game was added. This meant that the regular season was 18 weeks long, with each team getting a bye along the way.
There are even talks that the season could expand to 18 games, with NBC sports reporting that it could happen in 2025 - if not earlier. When the league extended to 17 games in 2021, it recieved a mixed reaction from fans and players, and Brady was not a fan of the changes.
An old video has surfaced of the former NFL star criticising the decision, and it may have led to his eventual retirement. Brady wasn't a fan of the changes but continued to play on regardless, and it's unlikely his views have changed.
"I think it's pointless, I think it's a terrible decision," Brady said when the league extended. "I don't like the fact that we are playing a 17th game at all. I think 16 is plenty."
Retirement was always coming for Brady, and there aren't many NFL stars that play until the age of 45. Brady clearly still loves the game, and the emotion was clear to see when deciding to step away "for good" earlier this month.
Brady shocked fans with an announcement video on February 1, telling fans: "I'll get to the point right away. I'm retiring. For good. I know the process was a pretty big deal last time so I woke up this morning I figured I'd just press record and let you guys know first so, it won't be long winded.
"You only get one super emotional retirement essay and I used mine up last year, so really thank you guys so much for supporting me. My family, my friends, my teammates, my competitors - I could go on forever, there's too many.
"Thank you guys for allowing me to live my absolute dream. I wouldn't change a thing. Love you all."
Sign up to our End Zone newsletter for all the latest NFL news and analysis!
