Tom Brady announces he will return for a 23rd season

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Tom Brady is postponing his previously announced retirement to return for a 23rd NFL season.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion posted to Instagram his intentions to retire on Feb. 1, but he tweeted on Sunday that he will be back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

“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 and the Buccaneers fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs last season. That ended their title defense, as Brady led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory the season prior.

The 44-year-old played 20 seasons with the New England Patriots before changing scenery. He won three MVPs with his former team and earned six of his seven Super Bowl rings.

Brady did not slow down in 2021 with Tampa Bay, as he led the league in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said on NFL Network at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team would “keep the light on” in case Brady changed his mind.

These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. 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 pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022

The future hall of famer made his decision the evening before the legal tampering period begins when teams can start negotiating with free agents.

The Buccaneers take on the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in 2022. Brady split his only two previous meetings with the Cardinals, last losing to Arizona 20-18 in 2012 with New England.

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