Some vacations are more enjoyable than Tom Brady’s retirement.
After only 40 days in retirement, Brady declared Sunday night, on the eve of NFL free agency, that he will return to quarterback the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After an NFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Rams in which his epic 24-point second-half rally was for naught, it never seemed right for the seven-time Super Bowl champion to slip peacefully into the next era of his life.
“I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands these past two months,” Brady posted on Twitter. “It will happen at some point. But that isn’t the case right now. I adore my teammates, as well as my loving family. They are the ones who make it all possible. I’ll be back for my second visit.
As a result, the Buccaneers will no longer have to explore free agency for a quarterback to compete with Kyle Trask, who has yet to be tried as a starter, or enter the Deshaun Watson trade lottery. Brady, 44, had one year left on his deal, so he couldn’t push his way to the 49ers, his childhood team, or any other appealing destination like the Saints or Dolphins.
While the AFC features young quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert, the NFC features dramatic potential Hall of Famers.
After Aaron Rodgers had the league hanging on his every word and social media post for weeks before opting to return to the Packers, Brady stole the show on Selection Sunday for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
During Brady’s sabbatical, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was certain that he did not expect him to return. According to NFL Network, Arians’ reaction to Brady’s change of heart was “absolute enthusiasm.” Arians has often disputed claims that his feud with Brady contributed to the G.O.A.T’s retirement.
“We’ll leave the light on for him,” said the group. Jason Licht is the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tom Brady, right, prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, in Manchester, England, on March 12, 2022.
It’s a safe bet Arians’ excitement extends through the organization and to top some free agents who might be more willing to take a discount and play with Brady than they were when they woke up Sunday. The list includes cornerback Carlton Davis, center Ryan Jensen and Brady’s longtime running mate Rob Gronkowski. Other championship-chasing free agents around the league now will see the Buccaneers in a different light, too.
Another spot in the 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class just opened up, too. Retired quarterbacks Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger all become eligible for enshrinement sometime from 2025-27.
Only kickers George Blanda, Gary Andersen, Adam Vinatieri, John Carney and Morten Anderson have played more than 22 seasons in the NFL. Brady is the all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, and he led the league in both categories again in 2021 to show that he had not lost anything off his fastball.
Brady has three children from two marriages, including his marriage to supermodel Gisele Bundchen. He is the creator of the “TB12” sports performance approach, which is growing in popularity.
But he’s putting his life on wait once more to play football after possibly setting yet another career record – for the shortest retirement.