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Patriots Gridiron News: Imagining life without Tom Brady

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a paper towel roll was thrown at him during the Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a paper towel roll was thrown at him during the Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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Why haven’t the New England Patriots given Tom Brady an extension? Well, they aren’t convinced that he will play past the 2019 NFL season.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady won’t play forever.  Despite a desire to play to the age of 45, Tom’s ability to defeat time is nearly impossible. But, like the comeback kid he is, no one can ever rule against the man with six Super Bowl rings.

While the Max Kellerman’s and Rob Parker’s of the world will eventually get the last laugh…if you call it that, the Patriots will have to eventually endure life without the greatest quarterback to wear the Pat Patriots helmet, in many people’s mind, the greatest to lead an NFL team…period.

With the 2019 NFL Draft approaching, it’s time to think about life without Tom Brady.  It’s time for Bill Belichick to once again either draft the next guy or make a decision if Josh Rosen can be that next guy.

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There is not playing around now, and the team apparently knows that.  According to Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, the New England Patriots aren’t convinced Tom Brady will be suiting up in 2020 hence the delay in an extended deal.

"“The team, sources told BSJ, has not ruled out the possibility that Brady could retire after this season, especially if he wins another Super Bowl,” Bedard wrote, via NESN.  “That would give him four in his final six seasons and would trump the three he won his first four seasons as a starter.  Seven total Super Bowl titles would break the franchise tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, leave Brady two titles clear of any other player, and would represent a largely unbreakable record.”"

Is that what currently motivates Tom Brady?  Is he chasing a seventh ring?

As competitive as Tom Brady is, that could actually be the case.  But a player who thrived on putting the team ahead of individual achievements, perhaps just love the game that much.  Unlike Warren Moon or Brett Favre, his body is allowing him to play at a high level when it counts, as he has proven at age 41 and 42.

However, as anyone in their 40s know, one day you just wake up and the body isn’t responding to your mind.  As great as the TB12 Method is, eventually that day will come and what New England Patriots fans have to prepare for is that it could come any day now.

Life without Brady

While Tom Brady has committed to the 2019 NFL season, fans don’t have to think about that right now, although an April Fool’s Day joke put the possibility to the forefront.

It’s been 20 years and beyond that New England Patriots fans had to even worry about a quarterback, especially anyone born after 1990.  It’s unimaginable that any team has only had two quarterbacks at the position in over 25 years.

Before there was a Drew Bledsoe, so many quarterbacks attempted to lead a pretty bad Patriots team that wore the classic red and white uniforms.  You know, the ones where Pat Patriot was in the huddle position on the helmet?

What the New England Patriots have to guard against is going back to the era where fans hoped Tommy Hodson, Hugh Millen, or Scott Zolak would at least lead the team to a .500 record.  Older fans even remember Marc Wilson and a younger Doug Flutie giving it a shot.

It’s hard to believe six Super Bowl championships later that the New England Patriots were once in a place where the entire AFC East are currently in.  They were seemingly searching for a quarterback every season until finally they landed Bledsoe with the first overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.

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In all, Tom Brady has stabilized the franchise and give fans a reason not to have to worry about that position in nearly two decades.  In Tom we trust, in Bill we trust, but without Brady, can Belichick continue to strive?  Or will life without Tom Brady bring us back to a time where fans wore paper bags over their heads.

Let’s hope not.

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