Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are looking at a potential early end to their season with a loss to the Tennessee Titans in the wild-card round of the playoffs at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. With Brady’s contract set to expire in 2020, the magnitude of this game — and a potential loss — feels elevated.
The game could be the quarterback’s last in New England.
“I’m not much for nostalgia,” Brady said Thursday during a press conference when reminded of that reality. “I’m just pretty focused on what I need to do. This week has felt like pretty much every week for the last 20 years, so just trying to focus on what I need to do. This team (the Titans) gives you a lot of challenges. Just trying to go out there and play well.”
He added: “I haven’t thought about those things and I wouldn’t be thinking about those things anyway. It’s felt like a normal week for me. I just approach practices the best I can.”
The New England sports media market has discussed the topic at great length, particularly in the last week. The Patriots lost in an upset to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, which knocked New England out of the second seed in the AFC playoff standings. That second seed would have ensured a first-round bye. Instead, the Patriots fell to the third seed, which put the team in the wild card round — and that has increased the speculation about the possibility for a loss and for Brady’s potential departure.
Has he heard that conversation?
“About whether it’s my last game? I haven’t turned a TV,” Brady said. “It’s probably not the best to turn on the TV and listen to your guys shows and stuff like that. There probably weren’t too many great things happening, so I tried to lay low this week.”
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