Tom Brady hints 'gap year' doesn't open door for 2023 return

Tom Brady has seemingly poured cold water over any notion that his waiting until 2024 to become Fox's lead NFL analyst opens the door for a return to playing this year. 

"I think for me, I know in my heart how I feel. I put it out on the field for 23 years and I’m super proud of what’s been accomplished," Brady explained during a Monday appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "You know, I just wanted to keep last week really short and sweet and I felt like I’ve given a lot, I’ve gained a lot. I’ve learned a lot. And life is about, you know, exciting things ahead. I think when one thing closes, like football has for me, you know 32 years of my life and it’s hard to make decisions like that, but it’s certainly the right time."

Brady announced last Wednesday morning he was retiring as an active player "for good," and it was subsequently reported that the 45-year-old is "done-done" and won't re-consider his decision ahead of the 2023 season. 

However, Brady initially retired on Feb. 1, 2022, but then confirmed the following month that he was returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for another campaign. 

His journey last winter coupled with his call to not work for Fox this fall and instead complete a "gap year" understandably has some questioning if he's truly serious about retiring before the new NFL year opens in March. 

Much has changed for Brady since last Valentine's Day. He's a year older and more beaten up, and he's a single father after he and Gisele Bündchen announced their divorce. 

In multiple interviews over the past week, Tom Brady Sr. heavily suggested his son will happily stay retired this time around. 

Per Brandon Contes of The Comeback, Brady insisted he is motivated "to be great at what I do" as it pertains to replacing Greg Olsen as Fox's No. 1 NFL analyst in 2024. 

Sean Payton hinted in December that Brady wouldn't go to Fox "right away" following this season, while ESPN's Joe Buck previously said some at Fox think there's a chance the seven-time Super Bowl champion never calls a single game for that network.  

Brady agreed to a 10-year deal reportedly worth $375 million with Fox last year.