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Soon after Tom Brady announced his departure from the New England Patriots on Tuesday morning, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers established themselves as the front-runners to sign the future Hall of Famer. The two sides agreeing to a contract was expected by Tuesday afternoon, and the move was made official today: Brady will be the next quarterback of the Buccaneers as he himself announced on social media.
Brady joining the Buccaneers is the end of an era in the NFL: the 42-year-old spent the first 20 years of his career in New England, and along the way established himself as the greatest quarterback of all time. The former sixth-round draft pick helped the Patriots win six Super Bowls since becoming the team’s starter in 2001, and to compete on a consistent level never before seen since the league implemented the salary cap in the early 1990s.
Tuesday’s announcement, however, closed the book on his legendary tenure in New England. Now, he will take his talents to Tampa Bay and try to add to his legendary résumé in an offense that is filled with talent — from wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to tight ends O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate, to running back Ronald Jones — and should put him in a position to compete for another championship even at age 43.
From New England’s perspective, Brady signing a contract with the Buccaneers officially ends his tenure with the Patriots and also puts the team in a position to gain the highest possible compensatory selection in next year’s draft: given that the deal will likely pay the veteran passer around $30 million per season, his old organization is in position to receive the 97th overall pick in the third round next year.
Brady’s social media post includes the following statement:
Excited, humble and hungry... If there is one thing I have learned about football, it’s that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that... you earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day. I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the Buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates and coaches and proving to them that they can believe and trust in me... I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I’m gonna not gonna say much more — I’m just gonna get to work! #Year1