Tom Brady May Be Retiring. Here’s How Much He’s Earned In His 22-Year NFL Career.

It could be over.

On Saturday afternoon, Adam and Jeff reported that Tom Brady was retiring from football. Brady's company, TB12, seemed to confirm the news in a post, but it was later deleted.

Brady, a sixth-round draft pick who went on to star for the New England Patriots and the Buccaneers, would leave behind a Hall of Fame legacy, with NFL career records for passing yards (84,520), passing touchdown (624) and championships (seven). Brady made $293 million with his playing contracts over the course of 22 years, according to Spotrac. Forbes estimates that Brady has added more than $150 million to his fortune.

Brady's total of $450 million makes him the all-time earnings leader in the league, beating a mark set by Manning, who left the game after the 2015 season with an estimated $400 million in career earnings.

Brady has redefined how football players can leverage their star power with endorsements and partnerships. He made more money off the field this year than he did on it, earning a record $45 million.

Brady had a reputation for turning down most endorsement offers, but that level of success as a pitchman is a recent development. According to Forbes estimates, Brady was pulling around $12 million annually off the field as recently as the 2019 season, enough to put him among the NFL's highest-paid players but not in the same stratosphere of the last two years.

His business exploded after he won his seventh Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers. Brady is a co-owner of two companies, one of which raised $170 million in a recent funding round. He is the subject of a documentary series on the subject of Man in the Arena. Brady, who has often had the NFL's bestselling jersey, launched a namesake apparel line this month.

Brady entered the NFL in 2000 after being drafted 199th overall out of the University of Michigan. After an injury to Drew Bledsoe elevated Brady to the starting quarterback role, he led the team to its first Super Bowl title. The Rams are from Louis. He won six titles in New England before moving to Tampa Bay.

In October, Brady said that he could play until 50 or 55 if he wanted to, and he has said repeatedly that he wanted to play until age 45. Despite a loss to the Rams in the divisional playoffs, he remains at the top of his game, having led the league in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes. He will make $27.3 million in salary and bonuses if he returns for the next season.

Patrick Mahomes would become the new marketing king of the NFL if Brady calls it a career. Forbes estimates that he earned $22 million off the field. Only three other players on this season's list of the highest-paid players earned more than $1 million.