NFL legend Tom Brady backtracks on retirement and confirms return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022

Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has announced he will return to Tampa Bay next season, just six weeks after indicating he was retiring from the NFL; Brady: "My place is still on the field and not in the stands"

Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady has sensationally backtracked on his decision to retire from NFL and has confirmed his intention to return in 2022.

Brady said last month that he was calling time on his legendary NFL career spanning 22 seasons, having amassed five Super Bowl MVP awards and three league MVP awards during a glittering career.

The veteran, who tops the all-time lists for passing yards and passing touchdowns, had spent most of his career at the New England Patriots before switching to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the previous two seasons.

Brady said "never say never" about playing again within a week of his initial retirement statement, with the 44-year-old now confirming his intention to return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 campaign.

In a statement released on Twitter, Brady said: "These past two months I've realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands.

"That time will come. But it's not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business. LFG."

Why did Brady originally decide to retire?

Brady cited his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children when he decided to walk away from the game on February 1.

However, he changed his mind about staying home, a day after attending the Manchester United match against Tottenham Hotspur. Brady sat with the Glazer Family, who own Manchester United and the Buccaneers.

Many Hall of Fame players across several sports returned to playing after retiring, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Bob Cousy in the NBA, Brett Favre and Reggie White in the NFL, Guy Lafleur and Mario Lemieux in the NHL.

The Buccaneers are hopeful star tight end Rob Gronkowski also returns. Brady convinced his buddy to unretire to join him in Tampa in 2020, with Brady's decision to return coming just days before the NFL free agency period begins.

Brady U-turn 'not totally surprising'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach Bruce Arians said in February it would be a "shock" to see Brady make a U-turn and return to the game.

Speaking to NFL Network, analyst Scott Pioli said: "I'm not totally surprised, quite honestly. He said it in his own words: 'the field is the place for him'. He's still playing and performing at a level that is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

"The worst time you can make a decision about your future is within the first month of the season ending because nobody is happy - except the team that wins the Super Bowl - your body doesn't feel good, your mind doesn't feel good, so making decisions in a quick timeframe is never usually a good idea.

"Tom has had some time for his body to heal, for him to see what the football 'afterlife' is going to look like and he doesn't like it. Again, I'm not totally surprised. I'm sure he loves his team-mates but there's something telling me that the 2022 season will not be in Tampa Bay."