Tom Brady holds a host of NFL records. We will have to add one to the long list, that of the shortest retirement in history.
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On February 1, the legendary quarterback officially announced that he was hanging up his shoulder pads, just days following the news was leaked on the ESPN network.
Here is the tireless 44-year-old pivot who will relaunch following careful consideration his quest for an eighth Super Bowl crown next season. He will return with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team with which he has played the last two seasons.
“During the last two months, I realized that my place was always on the field and not in the stands. That time will come, but it is not now.
“I love my teammates and my family who support me. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season. There is work to be done,” Brady posted via his social media.
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Persistent Rumors
As soon as he announced his supposed retirement, Brady himself left the blaze well lit. On his weekly podcast six days following the announcement, the decorated quarterback said ‘never say never’ when asked by host Jim Gray if he was convinced he would never return to the game .
“I feel really good regarding my decision… but I don’t know how I’m going to feel in six months,” he said, raising the possibility of a comeback.
“I try to make the best decision possible in the moment. I don’t think I’m going to change my mind. I definitely don’t consider that will be the case. At the same time, you have to be realistic. We never know what life has in store for us. I enjoyed playing football and I can’t wait to do something else. It’s the most honest thing I can say,” he continued.
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In Tampa for good
In the weeks that followed, some media floated the idea that Brady might indeed want to return, but elsewhere than in Tampa, where he won the Super Bowl for the seventh time at the end of the 2020 season.
However, Brady met the Glazer family, which owns the team, at a soccer match at Manchester United, which is also owned by the family, this weekend.
This is where the idea of a return to Tampa was confirmed.
Transformed alignment?
As soon as Brady announced he was returning to action, the Buccaneers’ odds of winning the Super Bowl, according to the bookmakers, went from 20 to 1 to 10 to 1.
The team must get along with a high number of free agents, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, center Ryan Jensen, guard Alex Cappa, running back Leonard Fournette, cornerback Carlton Davis, safety Jordan Whitehead, along with defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh.
We bet that some of them will prefer to come back for a year at a discount rather than raise the sails.
Brady’s retirement only lasted 41 days. Last season, he led the NFL in passing touchdowns (43), yards through the air (5,316) and completions (485).
