Report: Tom Brady Retiring After Historic 22-Season Career with Patriots, Buccaneers

Future Hall of Fame quarterback TomBrady, who won seven Super Bowl titles across 22 years with the NewEngland Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is reportedly set to announce his retirementfrom the NFL.

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington reported the news of Brady'sdecision Saturday, which comes after the Bucs' title defense ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.

Brady's decision is based on a number of factors, including family, health and expected roster turnover, according to reports.

The 15-time Pro Bowl selection'sdecision to hang up his cleats for the final time would come asa surprise given his continued high-level play sincejoining the Bucs in 2020, though he did say his family would play a key role in his decision when he didn't take a firm stance on his future after the playoff loss.

Brady guided Tampa Bay to a Super Bowltitle in his first year with the franchise and then put himself inthe MVP discussion during a 2021 campaign in which he led the NFL inboth passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43).

The 44-year-old University of Michiganproduct remained highly durable—he hadn't missed a game becauseof injury since 2008—and his 43 TD throws were his most since2007 with the Pats.

So his decision to walk away seeminglyflies contrary to his comments to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Timesin mid-January, when he said his plan was to play as long as he performedat an elite level.

"I feel like I want to play as achampionship-level player," Brady said. "That's what I'vesaid for a long time. When I'm not able to do that—I said a longtime ago when I suck I'll retire—but what I really meant was whenI'm not capable of leading the team to victory, then someone else hasto do the job."

Nevertheless, Brady built a resume thatguarantees him a spot in Canton the moment his five-year waitingperiod is over, and he's got a strong argument as the mostaccomplished player in NFL history.

He's a five-time Super Bowl MVP,three-time regular-season MVP and a two-time NFL Offensive Player ofthe Year, combined with numerous other team and individual accolades since being selected in the sixth round of the 2000 draft.

Along with his place in the Hall ofFame, there's a good chance both the Pats and Bucs will retire hisNo. 12 jersey in the coming years.

Meanwhile, his departure leaves amassive void at quarterback for Tampa Bay and could end the team'srecent run as a perennial championship contender.

The Bucs did select Kyle Trask in thesecond round of the 2021 draft, but it's impossible to know how he'llperform after a year on the sidelines. The front office could alsopursue another veteran to lead a roster that's otherwise built to winnow.

Those answers will come in the weeksahead, but for now it seems there will be league-wide celebration of Brady's storied career.