Tom Brady is making a sensational return to the NFL, just six weeks after announcing his retirement from the league.
The 44-year-old quarterback will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season after an incredible U-turn.
‘These past two months I’ve realised my place is still on the field and not in the stands,’ he said on social media.
‘That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my team-mates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.’
Tom Brady’s brilliance
Brady was drafted with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, starting a meteoric rise from sixth-round draft pick to stardom.
He won six Super Bowl titles in 20 years with the Patriots before leaving to join the Buccaneers in March 2020 during free agency.
Immediate success followed, with Brady guiding the Buccaneers to Super Bowl glory in his first season in Tampa Bay.
In his second season with the Buccaneers, Brady led them to an NFC South title before losing in the play-offs to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams.
Speaking on the Let’s Go! podcast in February, a week after his retirement from the sport, the five-time Super Bowl MVP hinted at a possible return to the league.
He said: ‘I’m just gonna take things as they come. I think that’s the best way to put it and I don’t think anything, you know, you never say never.’
The Buccaneers were also keen for their star quarterback to return and insisted he would always be welcomed back.
‘That door is never closed. Whenever Tom wants to come back, he’s back. If Tom wants to come back, we’ll have plenty of money for him,’ said head coach Bruce Arians at the NFL scouting combine at the start of March.
Tom Brady ‘is the greatest quarterback of all time’
With free agency about to begin, the timing of Brady’s announcement is perfect, meaning the Buccaneers won’t need to enter the market to find his replacement.
Tampa Bay’s general manager Jason Licht was delighted with the news that Brady was returning to Florida.
He said: ‘We said we would leave all options open for him should he reconsider his retirement.
‘Bruce and I have had plenty of conversations with Tom recently that led us to believe there was a realistic chance he’d want to come back.
‘Tom is the greatest quarterback of all time who is still playing at an elite level.’
Tampa Bay could bring back familiar faces
The Buccaneers will undoubtedly be a contender to win another championship now that they have Brady back with the team.
His announcement could also persuade other team-mates to stay with the Buccaneers who were scheduled to become free agents.
Ryan Jensen officially re-signed with the Buccaneers on a three-year deal when he was expected to be one of the most highly sought-after free agents on the market.
Following Brady’s announcement, running back Leonard Fournette deleted a post on Instagram that appeared to be saying goodbye to Buccaneers fans.
‘They could never say I didn’t give it my all every time I suited up, didn’t really have time to reflect on the season but I’m thankful appreciate my team-mates, coaches, family, fans for everything,’ Fournette posted.
Rob Gronkowski is also scheduled to become a free agent, but the tight end who has played in both New England and Tampa Bay with Brady, may well be tempted to return to the Buccaneers.
Spare a thought for this fan…
Many people will be pleased with the return with one of the greatest players in the history of the league.
However, an anonymous buyer paid $518,628 (£397,592) to auction site Lelands for the ball from Brady’s seemingly last career touchdown pass.
Hours after the ball was sold, Brady reversed his decision, meaning the value of that ball will now be significantly less.
