Tom Brady is LEAVING the Patriots for the Buccaneers

Tom Brady ‘is joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’: The 42-year-old free agent flies south for the winter ‘on a $30million-per-year deal’ after announcing his exit from New England

  • Tom Brady has announced on Twitter that he is leaving the New England Patriots
  • Multiple reports are claiming Brady is prepared to sign in Tampa on Wednesday
  • In his statement, Brady said his football journey will continue ‘elsewhere’  
  • The 42-year-old has spent his entire 20-year career in New England, winning six Super Bowls, nine AFC titles, and three Most Valuable Player awards 
  • Brady did not announce where he intends to sign, but the Raiders, Buccaneers, Giants, Colts, 49ers and Chargers have reportedly shown interest 
  • He and wife Gisele Bundchen put their Massachusetts home on the market after he signed an extension in 2019 that allowed him to be a free agent this spring  
  • He previously stated that he hopes to continue playing in the NFL until he’s 45 
  • According to Kraft, Brady paid him a visit Monday night to tell him his decision  

Tom Brady’s first foray into NFL free agency is expected to be a short one as the 42-year-old quarterback is reportedly on the verge of signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after announcing his intention to leave New England earlier on Tuesday. 

According to multiple reports, Brady will sign a new contract with the Buccaneers on Wednesday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the deal is worth $30 million per season, although the length of the contract is not known. 

Fox Sports Radio’s Colin Cowherd was the first to report the news. 

Both ESPN and Boston radio station WEEI have since confirmed the reporting independently.  Brady’s agent did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation from the Daily Mail. 

Former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston started at quarterback for the 7-9 Buccaneers last season, throwing 33 touchdowns and a whopping 30 interceptions to lead the league. He is now a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere.  

Brady signed a restructured contract prior to the 2019 season that allowed him to become a free agent for the first time this month. Players can officially begin signing new contracts on Wednesday.  

Tom Brady is leaving the New England Patriots after 20 seasons, six Super Bowl victories, nine AFC titles, 219 wins, and three Most Valuable Player awards

Brady and wife Gisele Bundchen put their Massachusetts home on the market after he signed an extension in 2019 that allowed him to be a free agent this spring

Brady’s farewell statement on social media paid tribute to his fans and teammates as well as Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, the only coach he’s ever played for as a professional.

‘Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishment,’ he wrote in social media statement. ‘I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to know each and everyone of you, and to have the memories we’ve created together.’

In response to his statement on Instagram, Brady’s wife Gisele Bundchen also took the opportunity to thank fans: ‘Te amo. So much gratitude for all the wonderful experiences and friendships we had in beautiful New England this past few years.’

Brady paid Kraft a visit on Monday night to discuss his decision with his long-time employer and friend.

Brady is reportedly expected to sign in Tampa Bay after announcing he’s leaving the Pats

‘We had a positive, respectful discussion.’ Kraft told ESPN. ‘It’s not the way I want it to end, but I want him to do what is in his best personal interest. After 20 years with us, he has earned that right. I love him like a son.’

In a team statement, Belichick said it was a ‘privilege to coach Tom Brady for 20 years.’

Kraft also reacted to the news in the statement: ‘The overwhelming feeling I have is appreciation for his countless contributions to our team and community.’

According to WEEI’s Dale Arnold, the Patriots’ limited salary cap space could have played a factor. 

‘This is what I was told happened: There was a phone call between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. There was not a negotiation. There wasn’t a: ‘We will offer you a two-year deal at X number of dollars,” Arnold said.

‘What I was told happened was the Patriots told Tom Brady that all they can do is a one-year deal at less money than he made last year because of the $13.5 million that gets tacked onto the salary cap and basically, ‘What we’re going to be able to do here, Tom, is a one-year deal, but it’s not going to be for as much money as you got last year,’ he added. 

A sign thanking former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sits outside the TB12 Performance & Recovery Center on March 17, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Brady announced he will leave the Patriots after 20 years with the team to enter free agency


Former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston (right) started at quarterback for the Buccaneers last season, throwing 33 touchdowns, but a whopping 30 interceptions as well to lead the league. He is now a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere. Now Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians (left) is expected to head into next season with Brady under center 

(From left) Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Tom Brady, and Patriots coach Bill Belichick 

A sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady was a backup quarterback until an injury to Drew Bledsoe thrust him into the starter’s role in 2001. That season ended with an improbable Super Bowl run and an upset of the heavily favored St. Louis Rams to win the franchise’s first NFL title. 

Brady leaves the Patriots ranking second in NFL history in passing touchdowns (541) and passing yards (74,571). Only 11-time NBA champion and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell has enjoyed more success in professional sports in the New England area than Brady.

TOM BRADY BY THE NUMBERS 

  • 6 – Super Bowl victories*
  • 3 – NFL MVP awards
  • 4 – Super Bowl MVP awards*
  • 219 – regular season wins
  • 30 – postseason wins 
  • 9 – AFC titles*
  • 13 – conference championship game appearances*
  • 20 (and counting) – NFL seasons 
  • $235 million (and counting) – career NFL earnings
  • 6 – the round he was drafted in back in 2000
  • 1 – number of coaches he’s had in the NFL (Bill Belichick) 
  • 541 – touchdown passes (second all time)
  • 74,571 – passing yards (second all time) 

* – NFL record 

He and Belichick also rank as the most successful coach-quarterback duo, with 219 wins, 30 postseason victories, and, of course, their six Super Bowl titles.

‘To all my teammates, coaches, executives, Coach Belichick, RKK, and the Kraft family and the entire organization,’ Belichick’s statement began. ‘I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values. I am grateful for all that you have taught me – I have learned from everyone.

‘You have allowed me to maximize my potential and that is all a player can ever hope for. Everything we have accomplished brings me great joy and the lessons I have learned will carry on with me forever. I couldn’t be the man I am today without the relationships you have allowed me to build with you. I have benefited from all you have given me. I cherished every opportunity I had to be a part of our team, and I love you all for that.

‘Our team has always set a great standard in pro sports and I know it will continue to do just that.’

Brady also wrote a separate statement, thanking Boston-area fans, specifically. 

‘I wanted to say thank you to all of the incredible fans and Patriots supporters. MA has been mu home for twenty years,’ he wrote. ‘It has truly been the happiest two decades I could have envisioned in my life and I have nothing but love and gratitude for my time in New England. The support has been overwhelming – I wish every player could experience it. 

‘My children were born and raised here and you always embraced this California kid as your own. I love your commitment and loyalty to your teams and winning for our city means more than you will ever know. i can’t thank you enough for your the support of our team. The packed training camps and should out stadiums and mostly the victory parades. I have been so blessed to share them with you all.’

A sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Brady was a backup until an injury to Drew Bledsoe thrust him into the starter’s role in 2001. That season ended with an improbable Super Bowl run and an upset of the heavily favored St. Louis Rams to win the franchise’s first NFL title 

Brady had signed an extension prior to that season, which effectively served as a one-year deal that gave him the opportunity to become a free agent for the first time.    

Kraft previously stated publicly that he hope to see Brady back in New England next season, but the married father of three apparently has his eyes set elsewhere.   

Until Tuesday there remained a chance that Brady would return to New England.  

He and Belichick discussed his free agency status by phone earlier this month, but according to multiple reports, that exchange was unproductive. 

The Boston Herald reported one source’s claim that the conversation ‘didn’t go well,’ while sources told NBC Sports Boston that the talks were ‘not particularly productive.’  

NFL Network’s Michael Girardi reported that the Giants recently expressed interest in Brady.

‘Spoke with a number of NFL people over the last 36 hours or so here in Indy,’ Girardi tweeted. ‘The initial reaction has been ‘there’s no way Tom Brady is leaving New England,’ but as you dig deeper, execs/coaches/scouts see the Titans, Raiders and Giants as possible suitors.’

In this January 21, 2018, file photo, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, embraces quarterback Tom Brady after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship NFL football game in Foxborough

Brady and Belichick’s relationship had soured somewhat in recent years, according to several reports, although the Coach still referred to his quarterback as ‘an iconic figure in this organization’ when speaking with reporters in January.   

In fact, the two have been complimentary towards each other in public, with Belichick saying in 2018 that there’s no quarterback he’d rather have, and Brady telling Boston radio station WEEI last year that he gets along well with his ‘great mentor.’ 

In 2018, however, reports surfaced of infighting between the two over disagreements between Brady’s trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero, and the Patriots medical staff. Guerrero was ultimately banned from the sideline, but he and Brady jointly own a training center that sits near the Patriots stadium and practice facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

In 2018, however, reports surfaced of infighting between the two over disagreements between Brady’s trainer and business partner, Alex Guerrero (right), and the Patriots medical staff. Guerrero was ultimately banned from the sideline, but he and Brady jointly own a training center that sits near the Patriots stadium and practice facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts

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