National Football League

Tom Brady announces he's returning to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Updated Mar. 14, 2022 1:45 p.m. ET

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Tom Brady isn't retiring after all.

Brady said Sunday that he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd season in the NFL. His retirement lasted 40 days.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram, saying he has "unfinished business."

"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."

Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title following the 2020 season and an NFC South championship last season. He teamed with coach Bill Belichick to win six Super Bowls in 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady is back and unretires after 40 days to return to Bucs I UNDISPUTED

On Sunday, Tom Brady announced his "unretirement" on social media. The 44-year-old said that he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Bucs with "unfinished business." Skip Bayless reacts to Brady's announcement 40 days post-retirement.

The 44-year-old Brady led the NFL in yards passing (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719) in 2021, but the Buccaneers lost at home to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

Brady cited his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, and three children when he decided to walk away from the game on Feb. 1. 

But he changed his mind about staying home one day after attending the Manchester United match against Tottenham Hotspur. Brady sat with the Glazer family, who own Manchester United and the Buccaneers, and met with legendary soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brady's announcement came just hours after the ball from his final touchdown pass last season — which was thought to be his last touchdown pass ever — was sold at an auction for more than $500,000.

Serveral Hall of Fame players across the sports world returned to playing after retiring, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Bob Cousy in the NBA, Brett Favre and Reggie White in the NFL, and Guy Lafleur and Mario Lemieux in the NHL.

The Buccaneers now hope that star tight end Rob Gronkowski will also return. Brady convinced his buddy to unretire to join him in Tampa in 2020. The team lost Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet, who retired at age 28, but wide receiver Chris Godwin is staying after getting the franchise tag.

Brady’s decision comes days before the NFL free agency period begins. The Bucs have several key players set to hit the open market, including Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, running back Leonard Fournette, cornerback Carlton Davis, safety Jordan Whitehead, linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Gronkowski and others.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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