Former teammate explains why he thinks Tom Brady will stay retired

Former New England Patriots defensive star Tedy Bruschi has explained why he is convinced former teammate Tom Brady is serious about staying retired this time around. 

"I think he’s done," Bruschi said about Brady during an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up," per Adam London of NESN. "I don’t think he’s coming back. I think it is over for Tom Brady. I did think it was after the first time he retired, too, but then he came back. There were a lot of other things going on, a lot of other factors. He’s closed the door shut in my opinion."

Brady originally retired on Feb. 1, 2022, but then announced on March 13 of last year he was returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for another season. It's now known the 45-year-old spent portions of last year dealing with his divorce from Gisele Bündchen after 13 years of marriage, and the seven-time Super Bowl champion also wasn't physically 100% for multiple reasons during the campaign. 

Brady retired a second time and "for good" on Feb. 1 of this year but nevertheless was routinely linked in rumors with the Miami Dolphins through the NFL combine. According to NESN's Gio Rivera, former Patriots safety Devin McCourty generated headlines when he said on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast last week he "would not be surprised" if Brady ended up with the Dolphins at some point this spring or summer. 

Bruschi doesn't see it happening. 

"There’s a process that this person believes in terms of Tom Brady," Bruschi continued during his comments. "A process of offseason, a process of getting with his receivers about going through specific steps and getting ready for a season. I just don’t think he’s willing to do it anymore. He can’t live that way because it was an absolutely insane way to prepare. He did it for 20-plus years and he’s done with that lifestyle." 

At a recent event, Brady declined to convincingly slam the door shut on a second comeback. However, teams such as the Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders have operated during the offseason as if Brady is a free agent in name only and is truly retired. 

Some understandably won't believe Brady is done playing until he enters the Fox broadcast booth in 2024, but it sounds like at least some individuals within the NFL community think TB12 has thrown his last pass during a meaningful game.