Buccaneers GM Jason Licht: Tom Brady 'can still play until he’s 50'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and seven-time champion Tom Brady has repeatedly said that he wants to play through the age of 45. The veteran, who turns 44 in August, also suggested ahead of Super Bowl LV in February he would "definitely" consider playing beyond that mark, which he will hit next year. 

Brady and the Buccaneers have since agreed to an extension that keeps him attached to the franchise through the 2022 season, and Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht explained on Monday's edition of "The Rich Eisen Show" he believes the man viewed by many as the GOAT has plenty left in the tank. 

"I told him if he wants to play until he’s 50, and he still feels like he can play, he can still play until he’s 50," Licht said of conversations he's had with Brady, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. 

According to ESPN stats, Brady finished the 2020 regular season ninth among eligible players with a 102.2 passer rating and 72.5 total QBR and tied for second with 40 touchdown passes. As for the playoffs, Brady led all passers with 10 touchdown throws, was third with a 98.1 passer rating and fourth with a 79.6 total QBR. 

None of that means Brady can play another seven years, of course, but anybody believing he's put pen to paper on his final contract extension as an active player may want to pump the brakes.