Tom Brady To Retire: Report

A number of news outlets, along with the NFL’s official website, are reporting that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is preparing to retire from football, after 22 seasons and seven championships. A formal announcement is expected shortly.

According to CBS Sports, “sources who are within Brady’s inner circle anticipate that he will most likely reveal his future plans in the coming days.” CBS says that these sources speculate that he’ll make an official announcement after the Super Bowl, so as not to draw attention to himself during the lead-up to the game.

ESPN speculates that when Brady left the field following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, he knew it was likely his final act as a football player. Their sources say that in the days since, he has spent time preparing his retirement announcement along, with thinking about the next chapter of his life and career.

Per Fox News, he retires as the league’s all-time leader in passing yards (84,520), touchdown passes (624), completions (7,263) and attempts (11,317) and second in fourth-quarter comebacks with 42, one behind Peyton Manning.

Tom Brady Gallery

• Super Bowl XXXVIII: Panthers v Patriots

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  HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 1: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots won 32-29 to claim their second Super Bowl in three years. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

• Super Bowl XXXIX – Philadelphia Eagles vs New England Patriots – February 6, 2005

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  New England Patriots QB Tom Brady #12 makes a call during Super Bowl XXXIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 2005. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

• Super Bowl XLIX – New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks

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  GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
• Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots v Atlanta Falcons

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  HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady $12 celebrates after Danny Amendola #80 of the New England Patriots catches a six yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against Jalen Collins #32 of the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

• Super Bowl LIII – New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams

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  ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots makes a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

• Super Bowl LV

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  TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yells as he takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
• NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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  TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after being defeated by the Los Angeles Rams 30-27 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

• NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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  TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

• NFC Divisional Playoffs – Los Angeles Rams v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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  TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.