Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been doing what they do for a long time. Rob Gronkowski hasn’t been doing it for as long, but he’s been playing for quite some time as well. The three of them likely get hit with questions about retirement more than we know. But it is not hard to understand why.
Super Bowl LIII is the ninth one for Brady and Belichick. Brady is an old man as far as quarterbacks go; typically, you find kickers playing into their 40s, not a quarterback. There is no set age when a coach is considered ‘old,’ but you have to think eventually he’ll get tired of the constant grind.
As for Gronk, the big tight end has played in the conference championship every season (when healthy) except for his first. He has struggled with injuries often during his career and appeared to seriously consider quitting last year. After having one of the worst statistical seasons of his career, it would not be shocking if he were to hang it up.
Why go through the grind and pain if you are not going to be excellent anymore?
Brady and Gronk have been hit with questions about their future prior to the game. But just because they said one thing in the days leading up to the Super Bowl doesn’t mean they will not change their minds in the aftermath of the game.
So—is anyone going to retire?
Gronk has already said that he is going to take some time before making his decision. There is no real reason to think he may do otherwise. The only thing that might prompt him to make a decision following the game would be another injury probably.
Don’t count on it. He may retire, but it will not be right after the game.
As for Brady and Belichick, the story is a little different. The odds Bovada has set are not for right after the game, but for any time before Week One of the 2019 season:
Now we have all probably heard about the interview he gave where he answered a question about retirement by saying that there is zero chance that Super Bowl LIII is his last game. But we all know that can change once he gets home and talks to his lovely wife for a while.
If Gisele says it is time, it would be more surprising if he did continue to play. However, with how he stated that there is zero chance, it is hard not to believe him. Just like you shouldn’t bet against him in the playoffs, don’t bet on him retiring either.
But what about the Evil Emperor himself? What about the Dark One, Bill Belichick?
Since he doesn’t really talk about anything, it is a lot harder to get inside the head of the Patriots head coach. But he did let one clue slip back in 2009 while filming A Football Life:
“I won’t be like Marv Levy and coach in my 70s. You don’t have to worry about that.”
He is 66 and will be 67 in April.
So, it sounds like we have a potential time frame but that he is not looking to be done just yet—if he even remembers making the comment. What’s to say he hasn’t changed his mind? Maybe he wants to stick it out with Brady until the end? Perhaps he wants to coach a different quarterback and hangs around after Brady retires?
With Belichick, it is hard to tell since he doesn’t really let the media in or share much on social media. Barring a health scare of any kind, it is hard to imagine him hanging it up anytime soon.
So, don’t bank on anyone retiring after the Super Bowl Sunday night. But don’t be shocked if Gronk decides to hang it up in the days/weeks following the game.