Report: Buccaneers open to possibility of Brady return, exploring QB trades

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not completely shut the door on the possibility that quarterback Tom Brady could return for the 2022 season.

Tampa Bay is willing to do whatever is necessary to facilitate Brady's comeback, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Brady retired from the NFL after 22 seasons on Feb. 1, but the three-time MVP hinted at a return on the "Let's Go!" podcast last week, stating he would "never say never" about a potential comeback.

"At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now," he added.

Brady, 44, led the league with 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns in 2021. He was set to earn $10.4 million next season after signing a $44-million contract in 2021.

If the seven-time Super Bowl passer remains retired, the Buccaneers will likely focus on acquiring a big name at the position via trade.

Tampa Bay has been doing extensive research on Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and is one of multiple teams interested in the availability of Seattle Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson, sources told Pelissero and Rapoport. The Seahawks haven't indicated that they're listening to offers for Wilson.

Watson, 26, and Wilson, 33, both have no-trade clauses and would need to agree to any deal.

The Buccaneers are also likely to explore the free-agent quarterback market; with Blaine Gabbert poised to become a free agent this spring, Kyle Trask is set to be the only passer on Tampa Bay's roster.