The New England Patriots have lost before the divisional playoff round for the first time in 10 years and their streak of eight straight appearances in the AFC Championship Game has been snapped. After so many seasons of dominance, including three straight Super Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl titles in the past five seasons, the Patriots might be staring at the end of their unprecedented reign over the NFL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speculation has been rampant as to whether either Tom Brady or Bill Belichick will retire this offseason. The good news for Pats fans is the odds show both aren\u2019t expected to hang \u2018em up just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is this the end of the line? Tom Brady had an injured elbow this past season and seemed to really struggle completing passes (less than 55.3% in seven of his final eight games). Was he hurt or is Father Time finally catching up to the 42-year-old? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having an older body makes an athlete more injury prone and the punishing nature of sports creates wear and tear, which can grind down the body. Brady encountered a lot of that in 2019 and for now, that\u2019s where we can point the finger. It also didn\u2019t help that his supporting cast \u2013 especially in the receiving corps \u2013 was among his weakest ever in New England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If those are, in fact, the issues, then Brady is not likely to retire. He still made some really sharp throws throughout the season and looked like he\u2019s got more in the tank \u2013 even if he\u2019s in the twilight of his career. He\u2019s also intimated that retirement isn\u2019t really in the cards for him. Look for him to play at least one more season. The question is \u2013 now that he\u2019s an unrestricted free agent \u2013 whether it will be in New England or will it be elsewhere?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea that Bill Belichick would want to step away from the game seems absurd right now. Either Belichick would want to do it right and come back with Brady one more time, or Belichick would want to get a new quarterback \u2013 probably in a trade \u2013 and see if he can win with him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belichick is not very sentimental about players, so he\u2019d be fine to move on. Brady finished with a 53.8 QBR this season, which was 17th in the NFL. That\u2019s basically replacement-level. Belichick might try to make a run at someone like Philip Rivers or Teddy Bridgewater in free agency, or might give youngster Jarrett Stidham a go. This team still won 12 games with Brady being so-so. He might opt to bring the band back to get with Brady (probably the best option) or move on with someone else, but Belichick retiring seems very unlikely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2009, Belichick has spoken about possibly hanging it up when he gets to his 70\u2019s but he\u2019s still just 67. He\u2019s third on the coaches all-time wins list (45 behind George Halas for second place), so don\u2019t expect him to call it quits just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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