With Tom Brady Now Officially Retired, Aaron Rodgers Still Not Oldest QB -- Yet
Tom Brady made it official on Tuesday by announcing he is retiring from the NFL. It ends a series of conflicting reports after Saturday's ESPN report that Brady is retiring.
This makes former Cal star Aaron Rodgers moved up the rankings of the oldest active players in the NFL. And he could become the oldest active quarterback soon.
But let's take a look at the conflicting reports that followed aSaturday's report.
---Conflicting report: Associated Press reported at about 2 p.m. Pacific time that despite reports that Brady is retiring, Brady called the Buccaneers and told Bucs general manager Jason Licht he has not made a decision yet.---
---Conflicting report II: Republicworld.com reported Saturday night that Brady's parents dispute reports that Tom Brady has made up his mind.---
---Peyton Manning spoofs Brady retirement reports on Saturday Night Live in video below.---
---Tom Brady said during his Monday "Let's Go" podcast that he has not yet decided whether he will retire.---
But Tuesday on Instagram Brady said this to erase all uncertainty:
"This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore. I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I've done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it's best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes."
Brady is retiring at age 44, and Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement at age 39. There is still one active quarterback older than the 38-year-old Rodgers, and that's Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who turned 39 in November.
However, Fitzpatrick had season-ending surgery in December after playing in just one game in 2021, and he reportedly had almost retired prior to the 2021 season. Now a free agent, Fitzpatrick might play for some team next season, but it's also possible he'll announce his retirement from pro football soon, leaving Rodgers atop the quarterback aging rankings.
Of course, it's unclear whether Rodgers will join the ranks of the retired too. He has yet to decide whether he will play another season, and you have to wonder whether Brady's retirement will affect Rodgers' decision in any way.
He may decide going out at the same time as the acknowledged GOAT may be a good time to end his career. However, he may also decide that not having Brady around in the NFC may open things up for him and the Packers, if he decides to stay with the Packers.
ESPN offered an intriguing video in which reporters discussed whether Rodgers might replace Brady in Tampa Bay. (Click here for that video.)
NFL.com reported Sunday that after speaking with Rodgers in recent days, the Packers are left with "cautious optimism" that Rodgers will return to the Packers for 2022.
Sources say Rodgers stayed in the building for a few extra days to plot out the team's future, huddling with coach Matt LaFleur and others and mapping out what's next. It left those in the organization with confidence moving forward that Rodgers will return for the 2022 season.
Cautious optimism was the phrase, per sources, though no one wants to interfere with Rodgers' process. And Packers decision makers all respect the steps he'll take to arrive at his eventual decision.
Although Rodgers is in line for his second straight MVP award and fourth overall, he has played second-fiddle to Brady in the unspoken rankings of current quarterbacks. This might give Rodgers a chance to change the narrative.
Rodgers and Brady will always be linked even though they faced each other only three times. And Brady's retirement shifts focus to Rodgers as well as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.
Rodgers was only the 10th-oldest active player in 2021, but he will move up several spots if he returns for the 2022 season, which seems likely.
Below are the 10 oldest NFL players who played during the 2021 NFL season -- with their age at the end of the 2021 season included.
1. Tom Brady, quarterback, Buccaneers -- 44 years old
2. Andrew Whitworth, offensive tackle, Rams -- 40
3. Jason Peters, offensive tackle, Bears -- 39
4. Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback, Steelers -- 39
5. Dustin Colquitt, punter, Browns -- 39
6. Andy Lee, punter, Cardinals -- 39
7. Sam Koch, punter, Ravens -- 39
8. Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback, Washington -- 39
9. Robbie Gould, kicker, 49ers -- 39
10. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, Packers -- 38
Peyton Manning spoofed the Tom Brady retirement reports (among other things) on Saturday night Live:
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Cover photo of Aaron Rodgers by Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports
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Follow Jake Curtis of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jakecurtis53
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