One of the greatest athletes in NFL history has made a dramatic U-turn and announced his return to gridiron for the 2022-23 NFL season. Iconic quarterback Tom Brady, now aged 44, said in February that the 2021-22 season would be his last as a player. However, the former New England Patriots legend and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star has decided he has “unfinished business” in Florida and will return next season in a Bucs jersey.
Despite having seven Super Bowl victories to his name, Brady still believes he has more to give. In a post on his social media handles, Brady insisted his place “is still on the field” rather than the sidelines. Although Brady is realistic enough to admit that his “time will come”, he is readying himself to return for his “23rd season in Tampa”.
It’s quite remarkable how much of an impact Brady’s inclusion still has on the NFL. Looking at the Super Bowl futures market, the odds of Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the next Super Bowl have shortened dramatically into +850 with DraftKings Sportsbook, making them the fourth in line for the Lombardi Trophy in the eyes of one of the most recognizable daily fantasy sports brands in the US.
Brady remains an inspiration to all NFL quarterbacks
Brady’s career to date has been some ride. He was by no means the headline pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Patriots made him the 199th selection of the draft. Few Patriots fans could have predicted that he would be the lynchpin behind a decade of dominance for New England, winning a stunning six Super Bowl championships. Brady ended his association with the Patriots in 2020, when he opted for a fresh challenge with the Bucs. His influence was once again unquestionable, despite taking time to settle in a Tampa Bay jersey. He and the Bucs would eventually reach the postseason playoffs and win the Lombardi Trophy on their home field. Brady was also named the Super Bowl’s MVP for a fifth time, which has further served to enhance his legacy.
Brady’s “final” touchdown ball may just have lost its value
One NFL enthusiast will have been raging about Brady’s decision to return to the NFL. Brady’s “final” touchdown ball was sold at auction for an impressive $518,000 with auctioneers Lelands. With the bidding starting at $100,000, many anticipated the bidding to reach upwards of $1 million. The lucky bidder will have been thanking his lucky stars that it didn’t reach that high, with Brady’s U-turn almost certainly devaluing that touchdown ball thrown 55 yards to the Bucs’ wide receiver Mike Evans against the LA Rams. Evans subsequently hurled the ball into the crowd in delight, with the lucky recipient eventually auctioning it off.
It’s a massive call for Brady to make. Particularly as just 40 days prior to his U-turn he had reflected his inability to “make that competitive commitment” to embracing the “physical, mental and emotional challenge” that is the world of NFL. Prior to this, Brady had intimated his desire to continue playing until the age of 45 but reiterated his decision would be influenced by his family.
Brady was recently pictured visiting English Premier League soccer outfit Manchester United, arriving in England as a guest of the club’s long-time owners, the Glazer family, who also own the Buccaneers. Brady met Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as current United icon, Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s reported that Brady let slip to Ronaldo his plan to put his retirement on hold for another 12 months at least.
From a paperwork perspective, it will be business as usual for Brady and the Buccaneers. His retirement was never formally ratified via the NFL’s transaction wire and is therefore under contract with Tampa Bay for the 2022-23 season. Brady’s “placeholder year” is set to net him an additional $10.4 million. After a long and glittering career in the NFL, it’s no surprise that Brady is estimated to have a net worth of more than $250 million. Aside from his lucrative NFL contracts, his sponsorships and endorsements have also netted him a tidy sum through the years.
