Tom Brady did not look like himself throughout his 23rd professional season — and it culminated with his Buccaneers suffering a fitting loss to the Cowboys in the wild-card round on Monday night, 31-14.
Brady made a number of critical mistakes in the loss, perhaps most notably at the beginning of the second quarter when, during a red-zone pass attempt, Brady errantly floated a pass to no one in the back of the end zone that was intercepted by Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Brady admitted that he was not trying to attempt a pass at all, but rather throw it out of bounds.
Tom Brady attempts a pass against the Cowboys on Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images“I was trying to throw it out and obviously didn’t get enough on it,” Brady said. “It certainly didn’t help our cause.”
Brady’s stats may look solid on the surface — 351 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception — but that came on 66 attempts, for a middling 5.3 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay went scoreless in the first half of the game, allowing Dallas to take a 24-0 lead before scoring two touchdowns in garbage time.
Now, the conversation shifts to Brady’s future. Would the 45-year-old walk away from football for the second time, after his brief retirement and un-retirement in the offseason? He refused to commit one way or another.
Tom Brady speaks during a press conference after the game on Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images
Tom Brady walks off the field after losing to the Cowboys on Jan. 16, 2023. Getty Images“I’m going to go home and get a good night’s sleep … as good as I can tonight,” Brady said after the game ended.
Should he return to the NFL for a 24th season, Brady will be a free agent — and could be on the move again. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the Titans, 49ers, and Raiders would all pursue the future Hall of Famer if he were available.
