Tom Brady Returns To Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 Weeks After Retiring

Tom Brady
Tom Brady

Tom Brady looks to be back after only six weeks of retirement.

Brady, the 44-year-old QB who has won seven Super Bowls, announced on social media late Sunday that he will return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season.

Brady announced his retirement in early February, stating he couldn’t commit to football longer because of the “competitive commitment.” However, he has made various confusing remarks regarding his future in the days afterward.

Tom Brady Said That His Place Is On The Field

General Manager Jason Licht said the team was “ecstatic” about the quarterback’s comeback in a statement.

The Buccaneers have always left the potential of Brady’s comeback open. Arians made it plain after the club’s playoff elimination in January that Brady’s choice to retire was his alone, but that the organization wanted him back.

The Buccaneers were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the N.F.L. divisional round, 30-27, on a last-second field goal after trailing by as much as 24 points.

The Buccaneers (13-4) struggled to defend their 2020 championship season without Godwin and Antonio Brown, who was waived in January, as well as injuries to the defensive secondary.

The Buccaneers will be in a much stronger position on Monday when clubs can begin talking to and signing free agents, thanks to Brady’s speedy turnaround.

Any club with Tom Brady will be competitive, but Licht will have to go beyond the box to put together a group capable of reaching another Super Bowl. According to the pay database Spotrac, the team is $3 million above the wage cap.

Tom Brady will make $25 million next season, but only approximately $20 million will be counted against the team’s salary cap. However, he adjusted his deal multiple times over his career to assist his clubs to sign important players, and his return to the Buccaneers might entail a new contract that reduces his cap load.