Tom Brady, Mac Jones to set NFL record for largest age gap between starting QBs

It seems with each passing day somebody comes up with a new reason for why Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady making his return to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots, his former employer, is a historic and exciting event. 

That trend continued Thursday. 

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk notes that the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" clash will set a new NFL record for the largest age gap between two starting quarterbacks in history. Brady turned 44 years old on Aug. 3, while New England rookie and first-round draft pick Mac Jones celebrated his 23rd birthday on Sept. 5. 

Interestingly, Brady holds the current mark for when he played against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers last season but could break his new record before the 2021 campaign closes. Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields is younger than Jones and could play against Brady on Oct. 24, and New York Jets QB1 Zach Wilson is on track to face the Tampa Bay defense on Jan. 2, 2022. 

In other news, Brady will enter Sunday evening just 68 yards away from leapfrogging Drew Brees and setting the new all-time mark for NFL career passing yards. Brady seems set on playing at least one more season, so his assault on the record books likely isn't ending anytime soon.