Retired QB Tom Brady told Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated that he’s “certain” he won’t play football again. “I’ve tried to make that clear, and I hate to continue to profess that, ‘cause I’ve already told people that lots of times.” Rumors circulated that Brady, now a part owner of the Raiders, might return to play for the team. We're inclined to believe the 46-year-old (in August) has played his final NFL game.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady announced his retirement Wednesday morning via social media, and he says it's "for good" this time. We'll all obviously be waiting to confirm that throughout the offseason after last year's 1st crack at retirement, but we're taking the 45-year-old at his word. Brady's retirement officially leaves the Bucs with only Kyle Trask under contract at the position. They'll pick 19th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which might prove a little low for selecting an immediate successor. NFL free agency holds some potential options, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Jimmy Garoppolo. Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are currently set to hit the market as well, though they're generally expected to re-sign with their current teams. Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers also sit as potential trade targets, though Tampa Bay might not have the salary-cap space to fit either of them. We'll be tracking this situation closely for the sake of WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Multiple Bucs players told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport that they don't expect QB Tom Brady back with the team in 2023. Media members got the same feeling after Brady's end-of-season press conference. If Brady doesn't return to Tampa Bay, it remains unclear if he'd retire or sign elsewhere. Rapoport mentions the Raiders, 49ers and Titans as potential landing spots if Brady returns for a 24th NFL season. Brady threw for another 4,694 yards this past year, but his 6.4 yards per attempt was the 2nd worst mark of his career. His Pro Football Focus passing grade was well down from the previous 2 seasons, although it still ranked 7th among 31 qualifiers league-wide.

The Buccaneers are expected to fire OC Byron Leftwich, according to Pewter Report. Just a year ago, Tampa Bay was coming off 3 straight years among the league's top 3 in scoring and Leftwich was getting interviews for HC gigs elsewhere. But the 2022 Bucs ranked just 25th in points, 15th in yards and 16th in Football Outsiders offensive DVOA (down from 1st in 2021). We'd bet on Leftwich getting an opportunity elsewhere. The Bucs, meanwhile, seem likely to have a QB question to answer, with Tom Brady's contract up.

Update: Greg Auman of FOX Sports reports that HC Todd Bowles says no decision has been made yet on Leftwich's job status.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady completed 35 of 66 attempts with 2 TDs and 1 INT in Monday’s Wild Card loss vs. the Cowboys. The Bucs’ backfield failed to establish a presence in the contest, leaving Brady to throw for over 60 attempts in a game for the first time since Super Bowl LI vs. the Falcons, according to Pro Football Reference. The question now is whether the future Hall of Famer will hang up his cleats for good with the Buccaneers’ season officially over. Brady is set to become a free agent this offseason. The 45-year-old will have a lot to think about in the months to come.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles plans to play his starters, including QB Tom Brady, in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Falcons, despite the Bucs being locked into the NFC's #4 seed. "We can get better at a lot of things, so right now, we plan on playing [Brady]," Bowles said Monday. "We'll see how the week goes going forward, but we can get better at a lot of things that we need to work on, and we don't need our foot off the gas." Bowles added that he'll consider pulling starters in the 2nd half. We'd be surprised if Brady played more than a half and don't expect RB Leonard Fournette or WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to play the entire game, either.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and 3 TDs in Sunday's win over the Panthers, clinching the NFC South title. Brady found WR Mike Evans for all 3 scores, from 30, 57 and 63 yards out. Evans accounted for 48% of Brady's passing yardage, as the QB posted his biggest total since Week 3 of 2021. With the division locked up, we wouldn't be surprised to see Tampa Bay rest some starters in Week 18. But we'll assess situations like that throughout the league in finalizing our Week 18 fantasy football rankings.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady completed 30 of 44 pass attempts in Sunday's loss vs. the Bengals, adding 312 yards with 3 TD, and 2 INTs. Brady's pair of picks accounted for half of the Bucs' 4 turnovers that set up the Bengals' offense with good field position each time. 2022 has not been kind to the aging superstar, though a Week 16 game against the Cardinals might help get him straight. The Cardinals D ranks as the 6th-best matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs, thus making Brady a low-end QB1/streaming option next week.

SI’s Albert Breer believes Bucs QB Tom Brady is unlikely to return to Tampa Bay next season. While Breer doesn’t shut the door on a return to Tampa, note that Brady will enter free agency in a few months. The 45-year-old has shown signs of decline this year. Through 13 games, he’s posted career-lows in YPA (6.2) and TD rate (2.9%). He’s currently the QB13 in fantasy thanks in large part to a league-leading 579 attempts. See where he sits in our Week 15 rankings.

Bucs QB Tom Brady completed 36 of 54 passes for 281 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in a comeback win over New Orleans. Brady was on his way to a true dud until late in the 4th, when both scores surfaced. He hit Cade Otton — and later Rachaad White — to seal the comeback victory. Volume continues to hold up Brady, who now leads the league with 524 attempts. He’ll be more of a QB2 this week against San Francisco.

The Buccaneers leaned back toward the pass in Sunday's OT loss at Cleveland, dropping back on 66.7% of offensive snaps. QB Tom Brady completed a decent 67.4% of his throws but tallied just 246 yards (5.7 yards per attempt). He did connect with WR Chris Godwin and FB Ko Kieft for TDs, but Godwin and RB Rachaad White were the only Bucs to catch more than 3 passes. WR Mike Evans struggled, catching just 2 of his 9 targets. Tampa gets a rematch with the Saints next. Brady threw for just 188 yards against them back in Week 2, as his team totaled a season-low 260 yards.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady was efficient in Sunday morning's win over the Seahawks in Munich, Germany, but passed a lot less than usual. He completed 22 throws among 29 attempts, his fewest since the season-opening win at Dallas. Brady threw for 258 yards (8.9 per attempt), 2 TDs and 1 INT. He and the Bucs now get a Week 11 bye.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady went 36-of-58 passing in Sunday's win over the Rams. He tallied 280 yards and 1 TD, but that came out to just 4.8 yards per attempt. And his lone TD came with just seconds remaining to give Tampa Bay the victory. TE Cade Otton caught that score and totaled 5-68-1 receiving on 6 targets. WR Mike Evans led the team with 11 targets but managed just 5 catches and 40 yards. WR Chris Godwin followed with 10 looks but tallied only 36 yards on his 7 receptions. WR Scotty Miller tied Godwin for the reception lead and collected 53 yards. His lone missed target was a late-game drop when an end-zone pass hit his facemask. Tampa Bay heads to Germany next Sunday morning to face a hot Seahawks defense.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady threw for just 243 yards and 1 TD on 25-of-40 passing in Sunday's loss to the Steelers. It was a disappointing outing vs. a Pittsburgh defense that arrived just 24th in Football Outsiders' pass-defense DVOA. On top of that, The Steelers were missing 3 corners and S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Chris Godwin led the team with a 6-95 receiving line on 12 targets, double his nearest teammate. RB Leonard Fournette was the only other Buc with more than 4 targets. WR Mike Evans posted a 4-42 receiving line on his 4 targets. Tampa Bay visits the Panthers in Week 7, before home dates with the Ravens, Rams and Seahawks.