It remains to be seen where (or if) Tom Brady will play in 2023. However, several Buccaneers players believe the quarterback definitely won’t be back in Tampa Bay. Speaking to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bucs players said their “final interactions” with Brady this season led them to believe that the signal-caller won’t be back in Tampa next year.
[RELATED: Buccaneers To Fire OC Byron Leftwich]
One player told Rapoport that he’d be “surprised if [Brady’s] back,” while another said the QB “sounded like a person saying goodbye for good.” Brady also seemed to bid farewell to the media during his final press conference, another indication that he’d likely be heading elsewhere.
Sources tell Rapoport that Brady is going “to head into his few weeks of decision-making time with an open mind.” The future Hall of Famer will spend time with family while he considers all of his options. While re-signing with Tampa Bay has to be included on the list of options, it’s sounding increasingly more likely that Brady will either sign elsewhere or hang up his cleats (at which time he has a lucrative deal with Fox Sports waiting for him).
Brady went as far as to announce his retirement last offseason before reversing course and returning for another campaign. Some thought Brady’s initial retirement was an attempt to force his way out of Tampa Bay, but whether it was a change of heart of the Buccaneers’ unwillingness to budge, the QB ended up returning for a third season with the organization. It was a tough year for the Buccaneers offense, leading to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich‘s ouster following the team’s opening-round playoff loss.
A number of teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots for Brady. The Dolphins could make another run at the QB after the organization was punished for their previous pursuit. Brady could look to reunite with former OC Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas or with former teammate Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, and rumors of a move back home to San Francisco will continue to persist.
Brady wants to surpass George Blanda as the oldest person to play in the NFL.
While it’s crazy that Brady has been able to play as long as he has it’s even more so that he’s played 3 full seasons more of NFL games in the playoffs.
That’s a great stat
I think it’s more a reflection of how bad their AFC East rivals were during the years the Patriots dominated. They basically got a playoff pass every year within that division.
If he doesn’t officially retire then what’s the point in him playing? He has nothing to prove. Is he that scared of the unknown of life after football?
I’m willing to bet his counter would be “what’s the point of me NOT playing?”
This dude gave up a marriage to a supermodel just to throw 40 checkdowns a game footballs all he knows.
“Supermodels. Heh! Nothing super about them―spoiled, stupid little stick figures with poofy lips who think only about themselves”. – Edna Mode
Dude unknowingly gave up his marriage to a supermodel to have an extremely talented and mentally unhealthy WR on his team.
There is a reason that Tom Brady has options and Antonio Brown doesn’t.
Miami makes so much sense for both sides. I’d consider them the front runner. Next would prob be SF. We’ve all seen how unstoppable that offense is with a QB that is simply good. Then Vegas. Tho McDaniels seems to have really messed that team up. The Jets roster could be interesting for him, tho he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who wants to deal with the madness of NY. I don’t see him going back to TB. I’d assume those are the legit contenders for him.
Tough to have a true evaluation after 7 games or whatever, but Purdy is playing at a higher level than Brady. I’m not sure SF shouldn’t have an in-house QB battle between Purdy and Lance and go from there.
It’s Purdy’s job at this point. He has shown he is up to the task. Lance hasn’t shown anything. Keeping them both and not bringing in a big name leaves plenty of money for a Bosa extension and whatever else they think needs doing.
The sapper speaks like a dumb sports fan that gets all his news from talk radio.
Miami? Their owner got put in time-out by the NFL for tapping-up both Brady and Sean Payton.
San Francisco? No country for old men.
Las Vegas? Raider Nation has long memories of the Foxboro Screwjob a/k/a the Tuck Rule.
Jets? They blew the whistle on the Belichick spying operation.
Dolphins owner is a Michigan alum like Brady. I wouldn’t be surprised if he entices Brady with some sort of ownership in the franchise then go after Harbaugh next year after they screw over both the young coach and Tua
I saw yesterday that Brady is the only active athlete h that was drafted by the Montreal Expos. Pretty crazy
Now THAT is a great “factoid”.
Got everybody in TB fired but then won’t come back. What a guy.
Can’t be SF with the QB room there…window of opportunity would be a year?
Tom don’t go away mad….
Just go away.
Back to New England