07 April 2023 , 15:21
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers players are reportedly ‘relieved, rejuvenated and recharged’ following the retirement of Tom Brady and his distractions that derailed the 2022 season.
Brady won an unprecedented seven Super Bowls over an illustrious career that spanned two decades with the New England Patriots - where he won six of his championships - and three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning Super Bowl LV. As a result of his longevity and unprecedented success, the former quarterback is considered by many to be the greatest in NFL history.
The 45-year-old retired from the NFL in February after an underwhelming and difficult 2022 with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay staggered to an 8-9 record, winning the lowly NFC South before crashing out of the playoffs in the first round against the Dallas Cowboys.
Tampa Bay struggled through the regular season with Brady’s offence failing to fire on all cylinders while the seven-time Super Bowl champion faced off-field issues as his marriage with Gisele Bundchen fell apart. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggested that some players within the Bucs locker room perhaps aren't too upset with Brady out the building and no longer the franchise's starting quarterback.
“What a mess of distractions last year with everything that was going on with Brady,” Florio told sports radio station WDAE. “And to be free from that, to be beyond that, I think there’s going to be a lot of [Bucs] who are relieved, and rejuvenated and recharged this year.”
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Brady decided to come back last year after originally retiring for the first time only for his decision in the 2023 offseason to linger over the franchise throughout the campaign. Along with his divorce, it was evident Brady was struggling with the pressure and the difficulties of his personal life.
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers endured a difficult season in 2022 (Peter Joneleit/AP/REX/Shutterstock)With the distractions in the past, Florio wondered if it is a good thing for the Buccaneers that Brady has left the team. Florio added: “They’re not going to come out and say it, but I think they’re going to feel it, and I think that’s good for the Buccaneers.”
Brady is preparing for the next chapter of his life where he will enter the commentary booth with FOX Sports after signing a blockbuster deal with the broadcaster last year. The network signed a 10-year contract worth $375 million (£306m) when he made his original retirement 12 months ago.
Brady has reportedly informed the broadcaster he will get to work in the booth in the 2024 season, giving himself a year away from the game to get used to retirement. As for the Buccaneers, they enter the 2023 campaign with either Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask set to start at quarterback.