Key aspect of Tom Brady's contract that could stop him from retiring

Reports of Tom Brady retiring from the NFL Saturday sent the footballing landscape through a whirlwind experience. ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington tweeted that Brady was retiring after 22 seasons in the NFL.Adam Schefter@AdamSchefterTom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me. More coming on ESPN.com.12:59 PM · Jan 30, 202227071976532Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me. More coming on ESPN.com. https://t.co/6CHWmMlyXgWithin an hour, Brady's agent and father put out conflicting information claiming Brady hadn't decided on his future.Adam Schefter@AdamSchefterStatement from Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee:2:03 AM · Jan 30, 2022278273713Statement from Tom Brady’s agent Don Yee: https://t.co/vbUhSToYtTOne thing that could play a role in Brady's retirement is his signing bonus. According to a tweet by Spotrac, Brady is due to receive $15 million of his signing bonus on February 4.The tweet reads: &quot;FWIW: $15M of Tom Brady’s $20M signing bonus from last March is set to be paid out February 4th, 2022. Seems like something a guy or gal would want to have process before making any life changing career decisions official.&quot;Spotrac@spotracFWIW: $15M of Tom Brady’s $20M signing bonus from last March is set to be paid out February 4th, 2022. Seems like something a guy or gal would want to have process before making any life changing career decisions official.4:41 AM · Jan 29, 2022107401233FWIW: $15M of Tom Brady’s $20M signing bonus from last March is set to be paid out February 4th, 2022. Seems like something a guy or gal would want to have process before making any life changing career decisions official.Brady may be leaning towards retiring from the NFL. That said, $15 million is a massive amount of money to walk away from. With this in mind, fans aren't likely to receive an announcement from Brady until he's received his signing bonus.Tom Brady retirement rumors send social media abuzzCarolina Panthers v Tampa Bay BuccaneersESPN's report of Brady's retirement has social media in a frenzy. NFL fans have been dying to know what the quarterback's future holds, as well as who was responsible for setting off a false alarm about the retirement.Even Tom Brady himself wants to know who in his inner circle was responsible for leaking his retirement plans to ESPN. Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported Brady is upset his retirement has been handled in this regard.Tom Krasniqi@TKrasCan confirm @jeffphowe's report. Brady called the #Bucs a couple of hours ago to tell them he hasn't made a decision. Also..... a source says Brady is &quot;pretty upset&quot; with someone in his inner circle for putting this story out there. What happens next?6:57 AM · Jan 29, 2022947128Can confirm @jeffphowe's report. Brady called the #Bucs a couple of hours ago to tell them he hasn't made a decision. Also..... a source says Brady is &quot;pretty upset&quot; with someone in his inner circle for putting this story out there. What happens next?Brady's decision is likely days away and is unlikely to come before February 4, that is probably when he would receive his $15 million.To further that point, one of the most respected beat reporters in the NFL, Tom Curran, reported Saturday that Brady is traveling abroad to contemplate his decision. He also stated in his tweet that we can &quot;stand down for now,&quot; meaning nothing is imminent.Tom E. Curran@tomecurranAt the moment, Tom Brady is out of the country and plans to be abroad next week as well. While he may intend to retire, it seems like a final, final, FINAL decision hasn't been rendered or articulated. So this isn't exactly &quot;at ease&quot; on the Brady front but &quot;stand down for now.&quot;3:59 AM · Jan 29, 20222288443At the moment, Tom Brady is out of the country and plans to be abroad next week as well. While he may intend to retire, it seems like a final, final, FINAL decision hasn't been rendered or articulated. So this isn't exactly &quot;at ease&quot; on the Brady front but &quot;stand down for now.&quot;Tom Brady is still leaning towards retirement despite no official statement yet, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Rapoport's NFL Network report mentioned people close to the seven-time Super Bowl champion still expect him to retire. But the timing of ESPN's report has caused frustration from Brady.Ian Rapoport@RapSheetFrom @NFLNetwork: Tom Brady does intend to retire, per several people close to him. The pushback appears to be based on timing, rather than his eventual decision.5:18 AM · Jan 29, 202276511605From @NFLNetwork: Tom Brady does intend to retire, per several people close to him. The pushback appears to be based on timing, rather than his eventual decision. https://t.co/GSTqDkKcjFIf Tom Brady does retire, he will announce it to the world on his terms. Brady's resume is the most accomplished in NFL history. He holds NFL records in just about every statistical category possible.The way his game has aged gracefully is legendary. His career in his 40s was better than the one he had during his 20s, a rarity unlikely to be seen again.Unfortunately, the most important day of his career, announcing his retirement, was botched by the media and someone from his inner circle.