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AFC East: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 7: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass during a passing drill at New England Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 7, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 7: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass during a passing drill at New England Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 7, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

3. Tom Brady, at age 41, could be making his final go-round

This has been a topic of discussion for the last several seasons, but with Tom Brady now officially one year north of 40, it might finally be realistic. It sounds odd, because last year Brady turned in what was probably the greatest season in history by a 40-year-old quarterback, even claiming his third MVP award.

Brady has said in the past that he wants to play until he’s 45, but has hinted in recent months that he might be closer to retiring than initially planned. At this point, it seems like he’s taking it year to year. His focus right now is on the 2018 season and trying to win the Super Bowl that got away from him last year, and when this season is over, he’ll evaluate things again and decide if he wants to come back in 2019.

In the meantime, though, Patriots fans need to be aware this year that they could be watching Brady for the last time. As much as Brady loves playing football, loves being the quarterback for the Patriots, loves the thrill of competition and pushing to win Super Bowls, he has children that are entering the prime years of their childhood.

After winning five Super Bowls (maybe six after this year) and accomplishing literally everything there is to accomplish for a quarterback in the NFL, Brady might decide it’s finally time to step away from the game and be a full-time family man.

As for the Patriots organization, they are all in on the 41-year-old Brady for the 2018 season. They proved that last year when they traded backup Jimmy Garoppolo (against the wishes of head coach Bill Belichick) and opted not to select an heir apparent from the impressive crop of prospects in the 2018 draft, instead taking the widely unknown Danny Etling from LSU in the seventh round to most likely groom as a future backup.

The Patriots will shoot for another title this year, and then once they know what Brady’s plans are beyond this season, might look to the 2019 draft to find their next guy. Either way, it’s entirely possible that this could be the last we see of Tom Brady.