TB12 is going to TB! Tom Brady entered free agency for the first time in his career and he will spend his 21st season in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract on Friday morning.
“To be clear: Former #Patriots QB Tom Brady has an agreement in principle to join the #Bucs, source said. It is believed to be roughly $30M per year,” Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network tweeted on Tuesday.
Brady said farewell to the Patriots after 20 years with them. A three-time NFL MVP, Brady won six Super Bowls with the Patriots. He made the official announcement on Tuesday morning:
“To all my teammates, coaches, executives and staff, Coach Belichick, RKK and the Kraft family and the entire organization. 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 all 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.
Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible team accomplishments. 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.”
Tom Brady was the No. 199 pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He completed 6,377 of 9,988 passes for 74,571 yards, 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions in 285 games for the Patriots.
The Buccaneers have some weapons in the passing game. Wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and tight end OJ Howard can all benefit from having Brady under center.
The Bucs had a strong run defense, they finished last season with sixth straight games holding opponents below 90 rushing yards and to 3.0 yards per carry or worse. The secondary was a problem but it can get better and overall their defense finished fifth in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) last season.
