Peyton Manning has opened up on seeing his long-time friend and rival Tom Brady making it to his 10th Super Bowl in a very remarkable NFL career. TB12 is leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the biggest game of all in his first season with the team and that could not be his last one.
Peyton retired from the game five years ago, winning a Super Bowl in his last game as a professional. Although he didn’t play as well as he did during most part of his career, the Denver Broncos’ defense gave him a very valuable victory.
This season, not many people believe this will be Brady’s last game ever and Manning has revealed what he thinks is next for the 43-year-old in his stint with the Buccaneers. The 6x Super Bowl champion signed for two years and he’ll have the chance to run it back next year if he doesn’t win this one.
Peyton Manning says Tom Brady will keep playing for “a couple of more years” with the Buccaneers
During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, Manning talked about Brady, claiming he earned the right to host the Super Bowl after 20 years of a career playing at the highest level, defying father time and so far, beating him.
“Well, Tom has just been the ultimate professional taking care of himself physically mentally and he’s extremely disciplined in his offseason training….
“It’s allowed him to have such great success at this age, but I give him all the credit he has put in the time he has sacrificed. He has formed a bond with his new teammates in a short period of time in a pandemic offseason.
“So he has earned the right to have his team in the Super Bowl in his hometown, Tampa Bay,” Manning said.
When he talked about Brady’s decision of retiring from the game, the 2x Super Bowl champion explained that it is his call and it’s very different for every player. He retired 5 years ago because he believed it was the right time for him.
“I don’t think he will, look; that’s what I did after Super Bowl 50. It was the right time for me, George, it’s such an individual decision.
“Nobody can make that decision for you. So I have so much respect for Tom, the battles we had on the field, we formed a friendship off the field as well. Always felt he brought out the best in me and maybe vice versa for him.
“So I don’t think he will because it’s his first year in Tampa… I could see him doing it for a few more years, no matter what happens on Super Bowl Sunday,” Manning added.
Brady will face one player that can overcome him as the GOAT in the next couple of years. Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs will try to beat Brady again and fans can’t wait to see that generational matchup.