KEY POINTS

  • An ability to still play at the highest levels fueled Tom Brady's desire to return
  • Brady initially called it a career before opting to unretire and play again
  • The Buccaneers now have a feasible shot at winning the Super Bowl

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have the services of Tom Brady for potentially one more season after he shockingly decided to come out of retirement and has explained why he returned.

"I knew my body, physically, could still do what it could do and obviously I have a love for the game, I think I'll always have a love for the game," Brady said as quoted by ESPN.

"I do think physically I'll be able to do it. I just felt like there was still a place for me on the field."

Widely considered as the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL, Brady surprised the football world when he made the call to retire.

But now that he canceled out that decision, the Buccaneers are suddenly back in contention for a Super Bowl run this season despite losing head coach Bruce Arians, who has since transitioned into a front-office role as a senior football consultant for the franchise.

The Buccaneers were dealt a bitter hand last season after they lost to the eventual Super Bowl LVI winners Los Angeles Rams and that played into Brady’s decision to return and play again.

“Last year was a very bitter ending to a season and we've got to make a lot of corrections to try to improve and put ourselves in a better position to succeed moving forward,” he remarked.

At age 44, Brady has already achieved more than what most quarterbacks could ever dream of in their lifetime, but the dog in him continues to push him to strive for even greater heights.

Of course, no one lives forever in the realm of sports and Father Time will eventually come for them, something that Brady himself acknowledged.

“I know I don't have a lot left, I really do. I know I'm at the end of my career. I wish you could go forever, but it's just not and football comes at too high of a cost now… But, I wanted to give myself and my teammates and our organization another incredible opportunity to accomplish something that we'd all be very proud of,” Brady added.

With the Buccaneers re-signing their key free agents this offseason and Brady back under center, it would be unjust to dismiss their chances at another Super Bowl ring.

Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate winning Super Bowl LV
Rob Gronkowski #87 and Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate winning Super Bowl LV Getty Images | Mike Ehrmann