Of course he’s coming back. Tom Brady was retired for all of 40 days. Apparently, it didn’t take.
On Sunday, a day before NFL free agency talks can start to “legally” happen, Brady, at age 45, took to social media to announce that he was running it back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady wrote. “That time will come. But it’s not now. 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 LFG.”
There had been some long offseason speculation about whether Brady would angle for a move to the 49ers, his hometown team.
It appears that speculation was just that, but Brady will have a homecoming. His Buccaneers will face the 49ers in Santa Clara this year. And his return could affect the status of key free agents like center Ryan Jensen returning to Tampa Bay.
He has positioned himself for at least one more competitive ride with the Bucs, whose Super Bowl and NFC Championship odds doubled, from 20-to-1 to 10-to-1 and 10-to-1 to 5-to-1, respectively, per Adam Schefter. Brady is back.