TOM MAKES IT OFFICIAL!
Days after news breaks, Brady breaks silence on deal with Bucs
Tom Brady has officially opened the next chapter of his illustrious career.
Less than a week after the future Hall of Fame quarterback said goodbye to Patriots Nation, he announced on social media Friday morning that he is indeed joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the Buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do,” Brady wrote. “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”
The six-time Super Bowl champion reported agreed to a two-year deal to help turn around a franchise mired in a 12-year playoff drought. An admittedly “excited, humble and hungry” Brady passed a physical exam by a thirdparty physician in New York Thursday.
The deal is for $50 million guaranteed and includes $4.5 million in incentives in both seasons, per ESPN.
Brady, who became a legend during his 20-year run with Bill Belichick in
Foxborough, comes to a team with ample firepower. The greatest winning signal caller in NFL history will be throwing to the best wide receiver tandem in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who each eclipsed 1,100 yards and combined for 17 touchdowns last season.
Although the Buccaneers lead the NFL in passing yards and were third in total and scoring offense, those numbers were misleading. Jameis Winston racked up plenty of stats in garbage time after digging a hole for his team with a flurry of turnovers.
Consider the difference between Winston and Brady, who will turn 43 in August: Winston more interceptions (30) last season than Brady has had in the past four seasons (29). The Buccaneers team website even took a shot at Winston on his way out the door in the story announcing Brady’s arrival: “Brady has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, totaling 85 touchdowns compared to just 27 interceptions in that span.”
Ouch.
The hope in Tampa is that Brady’s maniacal winning drive and dedication will be infectious for a wayward franchise coming off a 7-9 season.
“Tom is the most successful quarterback in the history of our league, but what makes him so special is his ability to make those around him better,” head coach Bruce Arians said in a statement. “I have had the privilege to work with some of the best passers in our game, and the characteristics they all possessed were the ability to lead and get the best out of their teammates. Tom is no different. He is a proven winner who will provide the leadership, accountability and work ethic necessary to lead us to our goal of winning another championship.”
Brady, who has 249 career wins and 14 Pro Bowls on his resume, made it clear that he doesn’t care about his past accomplishments.
“if there is one thing I have learned about football,” Brady wrote, “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.”
His new journey begins now.