Tom Brady says he's signing with Buccaneers

ByABC News
March 20, 2020, 9:09 AM

Tom Brady took to social media to announce that he is officially joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers gave the former New England Patriots quarterback a two-year contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"Excited, humble and hungry ...if there is one thing I have learned about football, it's that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that...you earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day," wrote Brady on Instagram on Friday. "I'm starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do."

Brady, 42, leaves New England with six Super Bowl rings and 41 playoff starts since 2001.

"Tom is a proven champion who has achieved greatness on the field because he demands the best out of himself and his teammates," said Bucs GM Jason Licht via statement. "I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has. He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organization."

In recent years, Brady has repeatedly said that his goal is to play until he is 45, but he and the Patriots couldn't come to an agreement on a contract extension last offseason. That created a path for Brady to explore his options as a free agent. 

Brady has five times as many playoff wins, six times as many Super Bowl wins and seven times as many 30-touchdown seasons as all the quarterbacks in Buccaneers history. He could lose his next 283 starts and still have a better career record than the Bucs franchise.

"Tom is the most successful quarterback in the history of our league, but what makes him so special is his ability to make those around him better," said Bucs coach Bruce Arians in a statement. "I have had the privilege to work with some of the best passers in our game, and the characteristics they all possessed were the ability to lead and get the best out of their teammates. Tom is no different. He is a proven winner who will provide the leadership, accountability and work ethic necessary to lead us to our goal of winning another championship."