Brady unretires, will return to Bucs for 23rd season
Tom Brady isn't quite ready to walk away after all.
The future Hall of Fame quarterback revealed his return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 23rd season on Sunday - less than two months after first announcing his retirement.
These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022
After weeks of speculation, Brady's initial retirement declaration came weeks after Tampa Bay's divisional-round playoff exit. When thinking of his future, the 44-year-old explained he planned to "focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention."
The move to walk away temporarily forced the Buccaneers into an uncertain position at quarterback, with several names, including Houston Texans trade candidate Deshaun Watson, floated as potential replacements.
"We are thrilled that Tom has decided to come back this season," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. "We said we would leave all options open for him should he reconsider his retirement and today's announcement is something we have been preparing for in recent days."
"We are ecstatic that he decided to continue playing and working toward winning another championship," added head coach Bruce Arians.
Brady's surprise return changes everything on the eve of NFL free agency. Tampa Bay once again has an All-Pro at the most critical position, and the Buccaneers remain a destination for players looking to compete for a Super Bowl.
Brady, the league's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, was incredibly still playing as well as ever throughout the 2021 campaign - his second in Tampa Bay.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion threw for a league-high and career-best 5,316 passing yards and 43 touchdowns while leading the Bucs to their first division title since 2007.