Tom Brady is coming off one of the better seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, as he not only won a Super Bowl, but he played great while doing it. Some fans, though, are now wondering if he can have even more success in 2021. 

It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility, given the talent he has around him. But former Pro Bowl quarterback — and Brady’s old college teammate — Brian Griese doesn’t just think he will have a big year; he believes TB12 will have the best season of his career.

Tom Brady is hoping to have his best season with the Buccaneers

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady is getting ready for his 22nd NFL campaign, and before the new year kicks off, he recently admitted that he’s hoping to have the best season he has ever had in 2021.

“For me … I love playing football,” Brady said to NBC Sports’ Peter King. “[Buccaneers Offensive coordinator] Byron Leftwich said something really good the other day: It’s a very simple game that’s so hard to execute. It’s a totally imperfect game that you’re trying to do as perfectly as possible. Every day I come out trying to do it. I’m hoping this is my best year.”

He, however, won’t say whether he thinks it will be his “best year” or not; Brady is just hopeful.

“That’s a prediction and I’m not for that,” he said, per NBC Sports. “I’m into doing the work. Is the process gonna be right? I’m gonna work my ass off to get it right.”

His former college teammate, though, is OK with making predictions.

Brian Griese thinks TB12 can have his best year ever in 2021

Brian Griese is a Monday Night Football analyst, but he played with Brady at Michigan in 1996 and 1997 and earned a Pro Bowl selection at quarterback for the Denver Broncos in 2000.

Griese recently spoke about his former teammate on The Dan Patrick Show, and he said he thinks Brady will have his best year ever in 2021.

“When he comes to training camp, he feels like he hasn’t accomplished anything,” Griese said on the Aug. 25 episode. “That mindset, that mentality, that competitiveness, and that willingness to sacrifice, if I had to sum it all up, that’s what makes him different. He’s not out there looking for other things to do outside of football until he retires. And who knows when he’s gonna retire. I think he could have his best year this year.”

He continued: “It’s all lined up for him with the team, the pieces that are back, the organization. There’s no reason for him to stop playing until he’s not enjoying it anymore, and I would say he’s enjoying it more than he ever has.”

Well, OK. Brady has had some great seasons already, and he’s 44 years old. How could it even be possible for him to have his best season this year?

Believe it or not, it is, in fact, possible.

Tom Brady can have the best season of his career with the Buccaneers in 2021

Tom Brady played in a new system with the Buccaneers and reportedly on a torn MCL in 2020. But he still somehow threw for his most yards (4,633) since 2015 and the second-most touchdowns of his career with 40. He also ended up winning his seventh Super Bowl.

Now, he has not only spent a full year in Tampa, but Brady is healthy and has everyone back from that championship-winning team. In fact, all 22 of the Buccaneers’ starters from the 2020 season are returning, as well as Leonard Fournette and four-time first-team All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. Giovani Bernard, who has proven to be a solid receiving back in his career, also joined their backfield this offseason.

To put it simply: Tampa Bay is stacked.

The Buccaneers showed everyone they were one of the best teams in football last season, and Brady proved he still has a lot left in the tank. With him being healthy and seeing everyone return for the Bucs in 2021, the GOAT has a great chance to have the best year of his career.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference