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There have been several reports and speculation 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 be revealed until Brady decides to expand on his release. Still, one motivator that was revealed this week dates back to Brady’s longtime rival Peyton Manning.
Buccaneers quarterback coach Clyde Christensen believes one of the reasons Brady left New England was to match something only Manning had accomplished: being the starting quarterback for two Super Bowl-winning franchises. .
“He said one of the things that he found really fun and stimulating was what Peyton did in Denver,” Christensen told CBS Sports Radio’s The Zach Gelb Show on Wednesday. “There was something about that challenge that hit (Brady) right.” Hey, I’ll go see if I can do this somewhere else. “
“I think the challenge was huge for him. Twenty-one years (the length of Brady’s career) is a long time. Sometimes there is time for a change. He has mentioned several times that he had been impressed with it and it seemed fun and stimulating. “
After entering free agency for the first time in his career, Brady signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quickly brought them to the Promised Land after handling the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV .
Manning became the first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl title for two franchises once the Lombardi Trophy with the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. Nine years earlier, Manning had won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts in Indianapolis. Manning, who is due to be inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2021, retired after the 2015 season after his second Super Bowl victory and became the NFL’s all-time leader in yards and touchdowns (since passed in both categories by Brady and Drew Brees).
Christensen, who knows Manning well after spending 10 seasons in Indianapolis as an assistant and was the offensive coordinator in 2010, believes the 43-year-old is looking for more.
“I don’t see an end in sight and he certainly doesn’t act like there is an end in sight,” Christensen concluded. “He’s so confident in his routine and what he’s doing physically, he’s going to be around for a while.”
Brady maintained his desire to play until the age of 45 and beyond following his seventh Super Bowl title, which is easily the most won by a player. Bucs general manager Jason Licht recently said he hopes Brady continues his unprecedented career by mentioning the Bucs’ interest in a contract extension.
An achievement that Manning can be alone with with the five NFL Most Valuable Player awards he won in a career that spanned 17 seasons. Brady only three league MVPs, but his five Super Bowl MVPs are just as impressive, if not more.
Perhaps the next goal on Brady’s mind as he enters his 22nd NFL season will be to beat Manning by becoming the only starting QB to win multiple Super Bowl titles for two franchises. It might just be another small chapter in one of the biggest QB rivalries in NFL history, but often the continued need to chase a rival is what it takes to keep going. Especially for someone who has already accomplished more than anyone else.
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