Tom Brady finally revealed why he came out of retirement.
Last month, as the Buccaneers quarterback completed his 40-day retirement, he said in his social media announcement that he had “unfinished business” to attend to next season — and revenge for a playoff loss to the Rams could be at the top of his list.
“At the end of the day, I just love competing on the field. And last year was a very bitter end to a season and we need to make a lot of corrections to improve and put ourselves in a better position to move forward successfully,” Brady told ESPN on Monday.
The Buccaneers’ season ended with a 27-30 loss to the Rams in the NFC Division playoff game – and Los Angeles beat the Bengals to win the Super Bowl in February.
After spending time with his wife and kids during his brief offseason, Brady began to feel he should still be playing. He spoke to close associates in Tampa, including former coach Bruce Arians, who moved into a front-office role and handed the coaching helm to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Tom Brady ended his short-lived retirement in March. Getty Images
According to ESPN, Brady said he’s looking forward to the “challenge” the Buccaneers have in taking on Bowles. His short-lived retirement was also due in part to a number of realizations he had about himself and what else he has to offer to football.
“I knew physically my body could still do what it could and obviously I have a love for the game, I think I will always have a love for the game,” said Brady, who will be 45 in August will. “I think physically I’ll make it. I just felt like there was still a place for me on the field.
“I know I don’t have much left, really. I know I’m at the end of my career. I wish you could go forever but it just isn’t and football costs too much money now. My kids are getting older and it’s getting harder and harder to miss those things. But I wanted to give myself, my teammates and our organization another incredible opportunity to achieve something that we would all be very proud of.”
Tom Brady struggles during the Buccaneers’ loss to the Rams in the NFC Divisional Round on January 23, 2022. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Brady shares two children with his supermodel wife Gisele Bundchen – son Benjamin, 12, and daughter Vivian, 9. He also has a 14-year-old son, Jack, from a previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion led the league in yards and touchdowns in his 22nd NFL campaign last season. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 5,316 yards with 43 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Brady announced Monday that he and Aaron Rodgers will face Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen at Capital One’s The Match golf event on June 1 in Las Vegas.