Tom Brady Reveals Retirement Plans and Bond With Rookie Jaelon Darden Ahead of Year 22 in the NFL

(Photo : Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during a preseason game at the Raymond James Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.

The start of the 2021 NFL season is fast approaching, and as usual, all eyes are on seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback recently spoke with NBC Sports' Peter King ahead of his 22nd year in the league. The interview provided several interesting tidbits about Brady's retirement plans and his bond with rookie wide receiver Jaelon Darden.

Brady had been consistent with his statement of playing in the NFL until he reaches the age of 45. His current contract with the Bucs fits perfectly with that timeline as Brady recently signed a one-year extension that will see him play until the 2022-23 season.

Brady changes tune regarding his retirement plans

Brady's plans appear to have changed, though, with the NFL star insinuating in his interview with King that age will no longer be a consideration when deciding whether to retire from the sport.

Brady said, "I'll know when the time's right. If I can't, if I'm not a championship-level quarterback, then I'm not gonna play." The reigning Super Bowl MVP later added, "If I'm a liability to the team, I mean, no way. But if I think I can win a championship, then I'll play."

It won't be a complete surprise to see Brady extend his career even past the age of 45 as he is still playing some excellent football at the moment. At the age of 43, he made the switch from New England to Tampa Bay and instantly turned the Bucs from a laughingstock into a winning franchise.

Brady mentoring Darden ahead of the 2021 NFL season

Playing with a fully torn MCL in his first season with the Bucs, Brady managed to beat the odds and led the team to its second Super Bowl title. After starting the season 7-5, Brady and the Bucs went on an eight-game winning streak to end the season, including three road victories in the playoffs against Washington, New Orleans, and Green Bay and the 31-9 walloping of the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LV.

Brady, who just turned 44 on August 3, outplayed some of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport on the road to that title, beating the Saints' Drew Brees, the Packers' Aaron Rodgers, and the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, all of whom have won Super Bowl MVPs before.

The hunger and the joy in playing football are still there for Brady even in Year 22, as evidenced by his mentoring of young rookie Jaelon Darden. The veteran quarterback is giving hands-on tutoring to the former North Texas standout to make him quickly understand the intricate Tampa Bay offense and be one of Brady's trusted targets this coming season.