Tom Brady Injury History & Analysis

Retired QB Tom Brady told Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated that he’s “certain” he won’t play football again. “I’ve tried to make that clear, and I hate to continue to profess that, ‘cause I’ve already told people that lots of times.” Rumors circulated that Brady, now a part owner of the Raiders, might return to play for the team. We're inclined to believe the 46-year-old (in August) has played his final NFL game.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady announced his retirement Wednesday morning via social media, and he says it's "for good" this time. We'll all obviously be waiting to confirm that throughout the offseason after last year's 1st crack at retirement, but we're taking the 45-year-old at his word. Brady's retirement officially leaves the Bucs with only Kyle Trask under contract at the position. They'll pick 19th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which might prove a little low for selecting an immediate successor. NFL free agency holds some potential options, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Jimmy Garoppolo. Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are currently set to hit the market as well, though they're generally expected to re-sign with their current teams. Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers also sit as potential trade targets, though Tampa Bay might not have the salary-cap space to fit either of them. We'll be tracking this situation closely for the sake of WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Multiple Bucs players told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that they don't expect QB Tom Brady back with the team in 2023. Media members got the same feeling after Brady's end-of-season press conference. If Brady doesn't return to Tampa Bay, it remains unclear if he'd retire or sign elsewhere. Rapoport mentions the Raiders, 49ers and Titans as potential landing spots if Brady returns for a 24th NFL season. Brady threw for another 4,694 yards this past year, but his 6.4 yards per attempt was the 2nd worst mark of his career. His Pro Football Focus passing grade was well down from the previous 2 seasons, although it still ranked 7th among 31 qualifiers league-wide.

The Buccaneers are expected to fire OC Byron Leftwich, according to Pewter Report. Just a year ago, Tampa Bay was coming off 3 straight years among the league's top 3 in scoring and Leftwich was getting interviews for HC gigs elsewhere. But the 2022 Bucs ranked just 25th in points, 15th in yards and 16th in Football Outsiders offensive DVOA (down from 1st in 2021). We'd bet on Leftwich getting an opportunity elsewhere. The Bucs, meanwhile, seem likely to have a QB question to answer, with Tom Brady's contract up.

Update: Greg Auman of FOX Sports reports that HC Todd Bowles says no decision has been made yet on Leftwich's job status.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady completed 35 of 66 attempts with 2 TDs and 1 INT in Monday’s Wild Card loss vs. the Cowboys. The Bucs’ backfield failed to establish a presence in the contest, leaving Brady to throw for over 60 attempts in a game for the first time since Super Bowl LI vs. the Falcons, according to Pro Football Reference. The question now is whether the future Hall of Famer will hang up his cleats for good with the Buccaneers’ season officially over. Brady is set to become a free agent this offseason. The 45-year-old will have a lot to think about in the months to come.