NFL Legend Says Tom Brady Having Hard Time Realizing His Playing Career Is Ending Despite $375 Million FOX Deal: “Now He Has to Watch Other People”

Tom Brady is one of the most talked-about NFL stars on the planet. Fans and analysts scrutinize every move of the GOAT, from every angle, to understand the motives and mindset of the superstar veteran QB. One of these analysts is Hall of Famer and former TE Shannon Sharpe, who has been analyzing all of Brady’s moves on and off the field.

In just a few months in 2022 so far, Brady has been in the news for three significant events. Brady announced his sudden retirement from the NFL after the 2021 season playoffs. In exactly 40 days, he announced his ‘unretirement’ and returned for another season at the Bucs.

He also made history by signing a whopping $375 million deal with Fox to become their lead NFL analyst after his retirement. Despite this, many feel that Brady’s retirement is no closer now than it was a year ago. And Sharpe has weighed in on the matter with his own views.

Tom Brady cannot accept the transition from player to analyst

Shannon Sharpe decoded Brady’s psyche behind his decision to retire and come back. He said Brady’s return to play may have more to do than just winning another Super Bowl. He believes Brady is having a hard time accepting his transition from a sport in which he has given two decades of his life.

He said, “Tom Brady wanted to play football… We know he’s signed a 10-year deal… that once his playing career is over, he’s gonna come here as the lead analyst. But he’s having a very difficult time realizing his life without the game of football where he is a player… where he has some control over the outcome of a ball game… Now he has to watch other people… Now he’s watching a QB… like trying to break it down..”

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Sharpe said that golfers have the option to continue playing in a different category once they have retired. But it is something not available to pro footballers. For the latter, the decision to retire is a permanent thing.

According to Sharpe, Brady cannot reconcile himself to trading playing field for the analyst’s table, despite having a lucrative deal on his hands as an analyst.

What awaits Brady after retirement?

Brady has already signed an extremely lucrative deal with Fox Sports to join their NFL analysis team as the lead analyst right after his retirement. The agreement is for a 10-year period and is worth $375 million. He also has multiple endorsements, alongside his successful brands, including his wellness brand TB12, to manage.

But fans would have to wait to hear more about Brady’s retirement. It would ultimately be Brady’s decision at the end of the 2022 season as his Fox deal would begin depending on when he retires. Brady himself felt pressured to come out of retirement because of the free agency requirements, after consultation with his team.

As Shannon Sharpe said, the more you love something, the harder it is to leave it. It certainly is ringing true for Tom Brady as his love for football weighs greater on him standing towards the end of his stellar career.

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