Tom Brady announces he is coming out of retirement and will return as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback for his 23rd season.
Courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Instagram
By Max Steele
The Tom Brady era is not over yet.
After announcing his retirement on Feb. 1, the seven-time Super Bowl champion shook the internet Sunday when he posted that he would be returning to the field as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback.
“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,” Brady said. “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.”
Brady’s retirement lasted for a total of 40 days.
His announcement came at a convenient time, as today marks the start of the National Football League’s free agent negotiating period.
The Bucs have been searching for a new starting quarterback in Brady’s absence, rumored to be in trade talks with Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson.
Tampa also has numerous free agent starters this offseason — including running back Leonard Fournette, safety Jordan Whitehead and most of all, Brady’s partner-in-crime Rob Gronkowski — all of which are now more likely to re-sign with Brady’s return.
Bucs’ center Ryan Jensen resigned with the team shortly after Brady’s announcement, agreeing to a three-year, $36 million deal.
The day before he announced his return, Brady and his two sons were in England at a Manchester United game, watching 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo score three goals in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. With this hat trick, Ronaldo became professional football’s all-time top goal scorer in front of Brady’s eyes, with a total of 807 goals. Some suspect that Brady may have been inspired by the forward’s performance — given Ronaldo’s relatively old age — and decided that he too has more offer to the game.
Following the game, the two generational talents met on the field for a photo and brief conversation.
In a video posted on Brady’s Instagram story, Ronaldo asks the 44-year-old, “You’re finished, right?” Brady pauses, smirks and gives an inaudible response, sending Twitter into a frenzy.
“Always a pleasure and a privilege to share some thoughts and ideas with another GOAT,” Ronaldo said in an Instagram post.
Whether Ronaldo inspired him to return or the five-time Super Bowl MVP simply got restless on his couch, one thing is for certain: Brady is back.
