A decade. That’s how long it’s been since Tom Brady has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. But as the New England Patriots quarterback begins his 15th NFL season, his hunger for success is as strong as ever.
Brady sat down with NFL Media’s Andrea Kremer, in an interview that aired Sunday, to discuss just how badly he wants another championship and what the future holds for him.
“You don’t play this game to come in second place,” Brady said. “I’m proud of the fact that we are in it and have a chance every year, but you know, I don’t think anyone’s going to be satisfied around here until we close the deal.”
While many believe the Super Bowl window is closing with each season that passes for Brady, the 37-year-old plans on playing as long as he can compete — even if that means wearing a different uniform in the future.
“I think if I feel like I can’t play at the level that I expect (of) myself, then I’m not going to play anymore,” Brady said. “I want to be a great asset to a team; I want to bring a lot of value to a team that I’m playing for. And if that team doesn’t feel like I’m a value to them, then maybe there is another team out there that may see that.”
Although Brady maintained that he’s focused on the present with the Patriots, he added it’s not out of the realm of possibility for him to one day suit up for another team.
“I’ve been very privileged to play for this team, so my focus is on this year,” Brady said. “There comes a time for a lot of people. Michael Jordan played for the Washington Wizards. Who would have ever imagined that? Joe Montana played for the Chiefs. Randy Moss, one of the great players ever, played for (five) teams.”
It might be difficult for Patriots fans to imagine Brady suiting up for a different team, but it’s even harder to imagine the face of the franchise one day becoming a salary-cap casualty. When asked if he could ever imagine a day when New England cuts him, Brady answered that’s a definite possibility given the business nature of the league.
“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Brady said. “This is the NFL. It’s happened to everybody, so why would I not think that would happen to me? Hopefully a team could value what I bring to it, and then you try to go out there for as long as you can and do it. But if a team doesn’t see that, the NFL is supply and demand. That’s what it’s always been.”
Check out the full interview here.
