There have been several reports and speculations as to why Tom Brady decided to leave the New England Patriots after 20 seasons and six Super Bowl titles. The full story may never surface until Brady decides to expand his exit. However, a motivating factor that was revealed this week goes back to Brady’s longtime rival, Peyton Manning.
Buccaneers quarterback coach Clyde Christensen believes that one of the reasons Brady left New England was to match something that only Manning had achieved: to be the titular quarterback of two Super Bowl winning franchises.
“He said that one of the things that seemed really fun and challenging to him is what Peyton did in Denver,” Christensen told CBS Sports Radio’s “The Zach Gelb Show” on Wednesday. “There was something about this challenge that got it right (Brady). ‘Hey, I’ll see if I can do it again somewhere else.’
“I think the challenge of that was a big thing for him. Twenty-one years (the length of Brady’s career) is a long time. Sometimes there is time for a change. He mentioned several times that he was impressed by this and that it seemed fun and challenging for him. “
Upon entering as a free agency for the first time in his career, Brady signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quickly took them to the promised land after dealing with the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LV.
Manning became the first titular QB to win a Super Bowl title for two franchises, as he lifted the Lombardi Trophy with the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50. Nine years earlier, Manning won the Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts. Manning, who is due to be inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2021, retired after the 2015 season just out of his second Super Bowl win and left as the all-time leader of the NFL in yards and touchdowns (since who passed in both categories by Brady and Drew Brees).
Christensen, who knows Manning well for spending 10 seasons in Indianapolis as an assistant and was the offensive coordinator in 2010, believes the 43-year-old wants more.
“I don’t see an end in sight and he certainly doesn’t act as if there is an end in sight,” concluded Christensen. “He is so confident in his routine and in what he is doing physically that he will stay here for a while.”
Brady maintained his desire to play until the age of 45 and beyond, after his seventh Super Bowl title, which easily stands out as the biggest prize ever won by a player. Bucs GM Jason Licht said recently that he expects Brady to continue his unprecedented career by mentioning the Bucs’ interest in a contract extension.
One achievement that Manning can stand out for is the five NFL Most Valuable Player awards he won during a career that spanned 17 seasons. Brady only has three league MVPs, but your five Super Bowl MVPs are equally, if not more, impressive.
Perhaps the next goal in mind for Brady as he enters his 22nd NFL season is to beat Manning, becoming the only starting QB to win multiple Super Bowl titles for two franchises. It may be just another short chapter in one of the biggest QB rivalries in NFL history, but often the continuing need to chase a rival is what is needed to continue. Especially for someone who has accomplished more than anyone else.