Tom Brady, who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League (NFL), may capitalise significantly on a possible move to extend his career until next Friday.
There are conflicting media reports about whether the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback has decided to hang up his helmet and cleats, with the 44-year-old's father claiming that his son is not retiring.
Michael Ginnitti, co-founder and editor of the sports news outlet Spotrac tweeted on Sunday that $15 million of Brady's $20 million signing bonus from March 2021 is due to be paid out on 4 February 2022.
"Seems like something a guy or gal would want to have process before making any life changing career decisions official", Ginnitti added. Fox News was quick to comment by reporting that "there’s a ton of money tied to Brady's decision" and that the Buccaneers quarterback "has millions of reasons to extend his career just another week".
Brady's agent Don Yee has, meanwhile, declined to confirm the football legend's plans, stressing that the 44-year-old has yet to make an official statement.
"I understand the advance speculation about Tom's future. Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what's being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon", Yee told ESPN.
The media outlet earlier reported that the retirement of the football star had become known through numerous sources in his entourage. ESPN also argued that Brady had been considering the move for a certain amount of time and intended to announce it in the near future.
Brady has played 22 seasons in the NFL, spending most of his career with the New England Patriots. The quarterback played for the team from 2000 to 2019 and won six Super Bowls with them before moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and taking home another title.