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How to handle an iconic quarterback, according to Bucs’ Jason Licht

The general manager says Tom Brady can play until he’s 50 as far as the team is concerned.
 
General manager Jason Licht, left, and the Bucs say they're cool with letting Tom Brady call the shots on how long he'll play.
General manager Jason Licht, left, and the Bucs say they're cool with letting Tom Brady call the shots on how long he'll play. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]
Published May 11, 2021|Updated May 11, 2021

TAMPA — The Bucs drafted a quarterback to eventually replace Tom Brady. It was met with a shrug because the GOAT already was informed of those plans to select Florida’s Kyle Trask and told not to worry.

The Packers should take note given reports that Aaron Rodgers has told teammates and team officials he doesn’t want to play for Green Bay anymore as Jordan Love waits in the wings.

Now comes a continued proclamation by Bucs general manager Jason Licht and others in the front office that only Brady will decide when Brady is done playing.

Related: New Buc Kyle Trask: ‘I just feel very welcome already’

Licht was asked on the Rich Eisen Show whether the Bucs have done their last contract with Brady, who extended his deal through 2022 when he will be 45. Did Brady give them any indication when he plans to stop playing?

“None. I want to keep all those conversations mostly private, but no inkling at all,” Licht said.

“I told him if he wants to play until he’s 50, and he’s still playing and he feels like he can still play, he can play until he’s 50.”

Given that Brady showed no signs of decline by passing for 4,633 yards with 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first season with Tampa Bay, there’s no reason to suspect he won’t fulfill his contract.

But the Bucs and Licht have said many times they aren’t predicting how long Brady wants to keep playing. They only know that when he does play, his teams typically go to the Super Bowl and win.

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