Tom Brady to Continue NFL Career with Buccaneers
The G.O.A.T returns. Tom Brady announced via Twitter that he will be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season.
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) https://twitter.com/TomBrady/status/1503147141795045378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March
13, 2022
Despite being a thorn in the Steelers’ side for his entire career, Steelers’ fans will likely rejoice in the news for two reasons. First, it eliminates another team in need of a quarterback, and second, Ben Roethlisberger will likely not be overshadowed in the Hall of Fame class of 2027.
As stated, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now no longer in need of a quarterback for the 2022 season. They were previously rumored to be interested in trade candidates DeShaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers and Russel Wilson, with the latter two having already found homes in Green Bay and Denver.
With the Washington Commanders having traded for Carson Wentz and with the Minnesota Vikings resigning Kirk Cousins, that leaves the Steelers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts in desperate need for a quarterback with many mid-tier free agents available and rookies in the upcoming NFL Draft. Other teams, such as the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins have been rumored to be exploring their options.
Watson remains as the last elite quarterback on the market, though it is unlikely that he finds his way to Pittsburgh. However, a team will likely acquire him, which will make it more likely that the Steelers end up with one of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft like Kenny Pickett, or a strong mid-tier free agent such as Mitch Trubisky.
Brady returning means he will no longer be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027. If he stayed retired, he likely would’ve been the face of a historic class that could include players like Roethlisberger, and even Adrian Peterson. Players such as Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski are also considered candidates for that class, but it is unknown if either will end up retiring this off-season.