Tom Brady Reflects on Personal Struggles Impacting Final NFL Season

NFL icon Tom Brady recently shared that his off-field challenges played a significant role in his performance during his last season in the league.

During this final season, Brady was navigating a divorce from Gisele Bündchen, a situation he described as not only complex but also overwhelming. “Last season was tough,” he revealed during a recent appearance on FOX Sports’ “The Herd.” He noted that the personal issues had a draining effect on his ability to play effectively.

Brady’s final year with the Buccaneers marked a unique moment in his career, as it was the only season in which he finished with a losing record—8 wins against 9 losses. Yet, despite the ups and downs, he threw for an impressive 4,694 yards, completing nearly 67% of his passes.

When reflecting on the season overall, he recognized the challenges but still felt that his yardage was commendable. Just to put things in perspective, that year, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford led the NFL with just 13 more yards than Brady.

As Brady looked back, he emphasized the importance of attending his children’s games, something that he had often missed during his career. “I played 23 years in the NFL, so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything when I retired,” he said. “Now, it was time for me to cheer them on.”

His marriage to Bündchen lasted 13 years, and together they had two children before their split in 2022. Since then, Bündchen has moved on publicly, tying the knot with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquin Valente in 2025 and welcoming a son. As for Brady, he hasn’t made any announcements regarding new relationships following the divorce.