Tom Brady’s FOX gap year raises all sorts of retirement questions

Tom Brady is taking a year off before starting his new career as an analyst for FOX, begging the question: What is he going to do in his free time?

After Tom Brady retired from football, many assumed he would immediately jump into the booth to start his FOX analyst job. Now, it seems as if he left the door to his future ever so slightly ajar.

Last year, Brady agreed to a 10-year, $375 million dollar deal with FOX that would make him the network’s top football analyst on Sundays once he hung up his cleats.

In a recent interview with Colin Cowherd on “The Herd,” Brady said he plans to take a gap year and will start working in the booth in the fall of 2024 — which means Brady has an entire NFL season to contemplate and potentially re-consider retirement.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. Brady elaborated on his decision to take a short break between careers, noting that “decompression” was extremely important and that he needed time to rest and recharge for his next pursuit.

Brady told Cowherd:

"“You’re on this really crazy treadmill, hamster wheel for a long time, loving the moment and journey. At the same time, it’s a daily fight…. It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to take some time and really become [great] at my Fox broadcasting job, which I’m really looking forward to, but also catching up on other parts of my life that need some time and energy.”"

Tom Brady delays his broadcast career, won’t start FOX analyst job until 2024

Based on Brady’s words, the chances of him un-retiring between now and 2024 feel quite slim.

The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback spent 23 years in the league, devoting an insane amount of time and energy into his NFL career, so it makes some sense as to why Brady wants to slow down and enjoy the retired life.

His latest social media activity suggests he’s exploring a new side of his single-and-ready-to-mingle life, which is…. good for him. (Who needs a supermodel wife when you have Brady Brand briefs!)

Until Brady actually steps into the booth, the rampant speculation of him joining an NFL team for one last ride will never die down.

For now, FOX’s Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen, who will be calling Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, will return in 2024 as the network’s broadcasting team.

Robert Kraft wants him. A slew of quarterback-needy teams want him. For the next year or so, Brady will still be “Mr. Relevant” even after his second retirement.