Bruce Arians, Jason Licht Address Potential for a Tom Brady Comeback

Amid discussions that Brady’s retirement could be short lived, Tampa Bay’s coach and GM discussed where things stand.

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians doesn’t believe that Tom Brady is going to end his retirement ahead of the 2022 season, based on discussions the two have had. If the legendary quarterback does come back, it won’t be for another team, he says.

Arians was asked about the possibility of Brady making an NFL comeback for another NFL franchise. He didn’t outright shut down the possibility, but called trading a player like Brady “bad business,” and set the hypothetical price tag at five future first-round NFL draft picks.

Bucs HC Bruce Arians quickly shoots down the idea of letting Tom Brady come back to play for different team. “Nope. Bad business.” Bucs still control Brady contract rights in retirement. Arians later jokes it would take “Five 1s” to trade Brady. https://t.co/jC9dOH7Jzo

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 1, 2022

It doesn’t sound as if Arians sees this predicament playing out. Earlier Tuesday, Arians said he’d be surprised at a Brady comeback because of “the reasons he retired.” When asked if he felt that it was odd that Brady hadn’t “really firmly slammed the door shut” on a comeback, Arians said he “slammed it shut when I talked to him.” 

Arians joked that Brady “likes to have his name out there,” hence the constant speculation about a comeback just weeks after his retirement announcement. 

Bruce Arians says he’d be surprised if Tom Brady decided to return.

So why hasn’t Brady slammed the door shut?

“I think like a lot of these guys now, he likes to have his name out there.” pic.twitter.com/fHWPLiqXkM

— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) March 1, 2022

In early February, less than a week after retiring, Brady was asked about a potential comeback on his Let's Go podcast with Jim Gray and Larry Fitzgerald. After touching on his decision, he said “you never say never,” but that he feels good about his decision.

Arians and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht are aligned in that if Brady reverses course, they’re happy to have him back for a third season. While they’re preparing for a future without Brady, Licht says the franchise will “leave the light on” for him.

.@Buccaneers fans, get over here!

GM @jasonrlicht joined @PSchrags at the #NFLCombine.

"You always leave the light on for a guy like @TomBrady." pic.twitter.com/3nclaP6fsa

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 1, 2022

Tampa Bay went 24–9 in two seasons with Brady under center. The team won Super Bowl LV at the end of the ‘20–21 season, following it up with a trip to the NFC divisional round in ‘21–22.

• Why Kyler Murray’s Contract Is Suddenly an Issue
• MMQB: Previewing Combine, Vikings’ New Leadership
• Tom Brady Spent Years Playing for Less—and We Might Never Know Why
• All Bucs: Buccaneers to Bring Back Creamsicle Uniforms in 2023 Season

For more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head over to All Bucs.