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Buccaneers players believe Tom Brady will NOT return to Tampa Bay … as the quarterback “will take some time before making a decision about his future” before becoming a free agent
There have been no hints or clues as to the direction Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will take the rest of his career, be it retirement, return to Tampa or free agency.
But whatever Brady decides, he will have thought about it with reports from NFL Network member Ian Rapoport that the seven-time Super Bowl champion will plan to “take his time making a decision about his future, with the goal of to see your options with a clearer mind.
Although a return to Raymond James Stadium hasn’t been completely ruled out, some of Brady’s teammates believe he will be leaving Tampa for good.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady appears set to leave his current team this spring
The QB’s teammates say he “sounded like a person saying goodbye for good” in recent days.
According to Rapoport, ‘one [teammate] he said, “I’d be surprised if he came back,” while another said, “He seemed like a person who says goodbye forever.”
Brady’s comments at a news conference after Tampa Bay’s 31-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
“I just want to thank you for everything this year,” Brady told the assembled media.
‘I love this organization, it’s a great place to be. Thank you all for welcoming me, and all the regulars. I am very grateful for the respect, and I hope I have returned the same to you. Thank you.’
Brady and the Bucs recently capped a poor 8-9 season with a 31-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
He led Tampa Bay to fire offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, a favorite of Tom Brady.
The quarterback has several options, with the least likely one being a return to the Bucs after a season in which Brady played behind an injured offensive line and managed only an 8-9 record.
Tampa Bay also recently fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, a coach Brady was on good terms with, further complicating a potential return.
He could also enter free agency with an open mind to other offers, with teams like the Raiders, 49ers and Titans interested in his services.
Finally, he could retire. The now 45-year-old quarterback has several options waiting for him off the field. That includes a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox Sports to be an analyst or commentator on its broadcasts.