Tom Brady retired last offseason only to announce his return roughly a month later, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion seems much more certain about his decision this time.
Brady announced his retirement on Feb. 1, and he has since put it in writing. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brady filed a letter with the NFL and NFL Players Association on Friday making the retirement official. He will now be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028.
Tom Brady officially filed a letter today with the NFL and NFLPA, reconfirming his Feb. 1 retirement, per sources.
This letter silences any questions about whether Brady might return and now makes him eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2028. pic.twitter.com/o8iAgbxrQS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 10, 2023
Nothing is set in stone, of course. Brady could still decide to play in 2023. He would just have to file the necessary paperwork to unretire, which is hardly an insurmountable task.
There were plenty of emotional tributes to Brady after he “retired” a year ago, but he operated a lot differently then than he has this offseason. Brady said in his retirement annoucement that he is calling it a career “for good.” He also had a very notable guest on his podcast to reflect on Brady’s Hall of Fame career.
Again, none of that means Brady cannot play next season. It would just create an awful lot of awkwardness. Believe it or not, Brady may actually be done playing.
