Tom Brady’s retirement from the NFL didn’t last long. In fact, he was out for just 40 days before announcing his return to the league.
Brady let fans know Sunday night that he would be returning to the Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season. He announced it on Twitter, saying he realized his place “is still on the field and not in the stands.”
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
MORE: Why Tom Brady came out of retirement, explained
Brady’s announcement came less than 24 hours before the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period ahead of free agency. It will likely have a major impact on the plans of both the Buccaneers and their pending free agents.
The quarterback’s return sent shockwaves through the NFL. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter detailed, the Bucs’ odds to win the Super Bowl dropped from 20-1 to 10-1 in the wake of Brady’s announcement.
Players from across the league were stunned and excited by the development. Mike Evans and Julian Edelman enthusiastically welcomed Brady back to the fold, while Jalen Ramsey and Chandler Jones cracked jokes about the big news.
LFG!
— Mike Evans (@MikeEvans13_) March 13, 2022
THANK YOU❕ throw that last touchdown on somebody else 😂 https://t.co/oum3tYbjbl
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 13, 2022
https://t.co/eyqsiYysbP pic.twitter.com/0wmDn3dLQn
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) March 13, 2022
Wait was Brady hacked???
— ♛Chandler Jones (@chanjones55) March 13, 2022
Brady sat in those stands one time and said F*** that!
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) March 13, 2022
LFG!!! Just unreal
— Tristan Wirfs (@TristanWirfs78) March 14, 2022
Yes I can say it again!!!
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr 😆 #LFG— Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) March 13, 2022
I didn’t bother to say farewell because I had a feeling @TomBrady wasn’t done.
— Ant Harris (@HOOSDatDude) March 13, 2022
Tom?!?
— Stephen Anderson (@S_Anderson89) March 13, 2022
Tom Brady with the pump pic.twitter.com/yuLfAc1qE7
— KyleLong.ETH (@Ky1eLong) March 13, 2022
https://t.co/3TZ3H3GCXp pic.twitter.com/EryGRL2oIU
— L.J. Fort (@i_Serve24) March 13, 2022
— Daren Bates (@DB_5trey) March 13, 2022
Players weren’t the only ones to react to Brady’s sudden return; teams did, too. The Panthers and Colts had the best responses of the bunch.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 13, 2022
We should have finished the episode. https://t.co/FIqIoxrgtV pic.twitter.com/nz71LRUz3z
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) March 14, 2022
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 13, 2022
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) March 13, 2022
Tom said ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/Rxl6dgixBN
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 13, 2022
guess not https://t.co/23Mr5kj0CA
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 13, 2022