Tom Brady to retire from NFL: report

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is retiring from the NFL, sources told ESPN.

Sources told the outlet the 44-year-old decided it was time to retire due to factors including family and health. Brady also recognizes the roster turnover that is expected on his team, though that is not as significant a factor in his decision, according to the sources, per ESPN.

Brady has said he does not want a “farewell season,” according to the outlet. 

Brady has been in the NFL for 22 seasons and has won seven Super Bowl titles, the most ever won by a single player, as well as five Super Bowl MVPs. All but one of his Super Bowl wins was with the New England Patriots. 

Team sources said the Buccaneers tried to convince him to stay another year, but recognized he would likely retire after the end of the season, according to ESPN. 

Sources told the outlet it is not clear when Brady will officially announce his retirement, adding that he doesn’t want to take attention away from the Super Bowl or NFL postseason this year. 

Following the publication of the ESPN reports, questions have been raised about whether Brady has made a final decision.

Two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that Brady called Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and said he has not yet made up his mind.

Brady’s agent said in a statement after the report came out that “Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy,” according to ESPN.

Brady is considered by many to be the best quarterback in NFL history.

— Updated at 5:38 p.m.