What age did Tom Brady retire? When legendary old QB ended his career on mind with Philip Rivers' return

Philip Rivers' return from retirement to play QB for the Indianapolis Colts is inviting all sorts of questions.

And many people are remembering Tom Brady.

That's because Rivers, at 44, is the oldest player active in the NFL right now, a couple years older than Aaron Rodgers.

Brady, of course, felt like he played longer than just about anyone (although not as long as George Blanda did back in the day).

So fans are trying to remember just how long Brady hung on.

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What age did Tom Brady retire?

Tom Brady retired when he was 45 years old.

That was the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And unlike every other season of his career, Brady had a losing record (8-9).

That was Brady's 23rd and final campaign in the NFL. It was his third with the Bucs after 20 with the Patriots.

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Brady, of course, didn't do what Rivers is doing. The G.O.A.T. remained a starting quarterback all the way through the end.

That's in contrast to Rivers, who before Sunday's expected start won't have played in a game in the NFL since Jan. 9, 2021.

Rivers also was very good in his career, but not quite at Brady's level. So it's anyone's guess how Rivers might play after this long layoff and at this age.

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