Odds Against Bill Belichick or Tom Brady Retiring Before Week 1 of 2019

• Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are headed to their ninth Super Bowl with the New England Patriots
• A win would push their all-time record to 6-3
• If they win, could this be it for Brady, Belichick, or both?

Scott Zolak may have put it best when the New England Patriots knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of the AFC Championship game.

The Patriots’ radio color commentator proudly proclaimed ‘America’s worst nightmare is back’. That was following another playoff comeback from Tom Brady to book a trip to Atlanta.

But could the nightmare soon be over?

Odds Tom Brady Retires Before 2019 Season

*All odds taken 1/26

As you can see, it’s a relative longshot the man known as TB12 retires. While things are a little more mysterious surrounding Belichick, the odds don’t favor him bowing out of the NFL either.

Odds Bill Belichick Retires Before 2019 Season

Fortunately in both cases, we have evidence pointing us in the right direction.

Expect Brady’s Return in 2019

Tom Brady has essentially confirmed his 2019 status already, even before the playoffs started.

Tom Brady, to @westwood1sports, if he's coming back in 2019 and playing a full season: "I absolutely believe I will. I know I've talked about it for a long time. I have goals to play not only next year, but beyond that. I'm going to try to do as best I possibly can."

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 26, 2018

Brady has made no secret that his goal is to play until he is 45. While it seems ridiculous, no one has ever done the things the 41-year-old is doing at his current age.

Brady has also seemingly enjoyed this season much more than last year. Of course, there was the bombshell ESPN report, and the perceived friction with Bill Belichick. But all of that is in the distant past.

"I do not bet against Thomas Edward Patrick Brady. He says again and again I'm playing until I'm 45. I believe he'll do 4 more years, and I believe he'll play at least 2 more years than Drew Brees. … I don't see Father Time tapping Tom Brady on the shoulder." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/GZYo7Af6OV

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 24, 2019

There’s also this: if Tom Brady was going to retire on top of the football world, he would have done it after Super Bowl 51. Sure, he came back, won the MVP, and nearly another Super Bowl.

But that would have been the ultimate walk-off.

If anything, it confirmed he’s an insane, football-loving robot.

More Mystery Surrounds Belichick’s Status

We don’t have a whole lot to go on when it comes to BB.

The most telling thing, may be this clip from his Football Life, recorded in 2009.

I won’t be like Marv Levy and coach in my 70s. You don’t have to worry about that. – Bill Belichick, A Football Life

Bill Belichick is currently 66. So if he holds true to that, then that means he’s still got four seasons in him. Even then, banking on him retiring once he hits 70 seems more and more like a pipe dream for the NFL.

Either way, it looks like retirement is a ways off.

Will Brady & Belichick Terrorize the NFL in 2019?

There’s really no reason to think that Brady will go back on his word, win or lose.

The other thing to consider with this, is would Brady leave the Pats high and dry at QB?

It’s not his problem, and he’s given Patriots fans two decades of memories, but it would put a small stain on his legacy.

New England Patriots select Daniel Jones QB out of Duke at number 29 according to Mel Kiper JR Tom Brady’s heir possibly?

— Zachary friday (@zachary_friday) January 18, 2019

Whether he lets on or not, Brady is fully aware that cutting and running isn’t really in the cards.

And Belichick? Word is he’s bringing Greg Schiano aboard to replace Brian Flores. If Bill was on the way out, it’s likely the Pats would have blocked Flores’ move to the Dolphins.

If we were talking Gronk, that’s one thing. But expect Brady and Belichick to come back for another year in 2019.