Robert Kraft Teases Tom Brady Plan: Retiring a Patriot?
New England’s ‘prodigal son’ may be coming back home, after all.
Just one day removed from announcing his retirement (“for good,” this time) from the NFL, New England Patriots legend Tom Brady was still at the top of the collective consciousness in the region where he spent 20 of his 23 seasons throughout his illustrious career.
Amidst the numerous accolades and congratulatory messages heaped upon the 45-year-old, as he begins the next chapter in his life, Patriots owner and CEO Robert Kraft is seemingly prepared to up the ante by making Brady a Patriot once again.
Even, if only, for a day.
During a Thursday morning appearance on CNN, Kraft spoke about effusively about Brady, while mentioning his intention to have his former franchise quarterback retire with the team by signing am honorary one-day contract with the organization.
“I’d do it tomorrow,” Kraft said. “Not only do I want it, our fans are clamoring for it and to us, he always has been and always will be a Patriot ... We’ll do everything we can in our power to bring him back, sign off as a Patriot and find ways to honor him for many years to come.”
Brady entered the NFL as the 199th overall selection by the Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Michigan product ascended to the starting position in his second year with the team, in the aftermath of a devastating injury to then-starter Drew Bledsoe. In his first year as a starter, Brady led the Patriots to their first ever championship. He would go on to win five additional titles in New England, with his last coming as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
For New England, bidding farewell to Brady is not exactly a new experience. The heartache felt by the crushing end of a 19+ year love affair began in similar fashion, nearly two years ago, when Brady announced his decision to leave New England, via social media, on March 17, 2020. In the now infamous posting, Brady explained that while his football journey would be continuing elsewhere, he would consider himself “Forever a Patriot.”
Despite his departure, Brady is largely adored in New England; firmly entrenched among the immortal beloveds of New England sports. As such, Kraft’s plan to bring him back into the Foxboro fold shows that he has his finger on the pulse of Patriots Nation.
“He did so much to bring life and good cheer to our community,” Kraft said. “He’s a beloved figure and he’s earned the respect and love that people feel for him like no other athlete in our town and we’ve had some great ones.”
The Patriots signing Brady to a one-day contract would be a fitting tribute to his impact on the franchise. Furthermore, it is also not unprecedented.
In 2015, former Pats linebacker Willie McGinest signed such a deal as part of his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Two years later, the team did the same for Vince Wilfork following his retirement. As did Brady, both McGinest and Wilfork finished their careers outside New England.
As a side note, it is important to remember that ‘one-day’ deals are not merely symbolic. They are actual transactions. Any such agreement would need to take place after Brady’s retirement/release from Tampa Bay hits the NFL transaction wire. Therefore, financial implications may prevent this scenario from happening until the summer.
Still, all the pieces appear to be in place to welcome Tom Brady back to New England in the near future.
Perhaps Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles were correct, all along … “Who says you can’t go home?”
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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