Tom Brady to the Patriots in 2023? Bill Simmons floats idea of Bucs QB returning to New England for last dance  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar Tom Brady's future in the NFL has been a hot topic of discussion for the past couple of months. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his retirement earlier this year before overturning it and returning for his third season in Florida.

Things haven't gone as Brady would have envisioned when he made a U-turn on his decision to call it quits. The quarterback and wife Gisele Bundchen announced their separation in October amidst a tough season for the Buccaneers, who are 6-7 and only one game ahead of the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons in the race for the NFC South title.

Brady will be a free agent in the 2023 offseason and there have been rumors swirling about whether the quarterback will return for another season and which team he'll suit up for. Retirement, a fourth season with the Buccaneers, and a move to the San Francisco 49ers have all been pitched as potential options for the quarterback following the end of the current campaign. However, another intriguing prospect looms large: A return to the New England Patriots.

Will Tom Brady return to the Patriots?

The Athletic reporter Jeff Howe suggested that Tom Brady could consider a return to the Patriots and finish his career where it started. Rumors have since swirled about a potential reunion, and The Ringer founder Bill Simmons is also smitten by the possibility. During an appearance on ManningCast, he said:

“I don’t think Brady’s gonna retire. I don’t think he’s gonna be in Tampa next year, and I do wonder is there a possibility he could come back next year. A farewell thing, you know how much he means to Bob Kraft, could this be the way to put a bow on it? Could he come back for one last season?”

The Patriots have limped to a 7-6 record and face a gauntlet in their remaining four games, making a trip to the postseason a distant dream. However, the Patriots have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and will have more cap space than at least 25 of the 32 teams in the 2023 off-season.

Tom Brady joined a talented but struggling Buccaneers team in 2020 and led them to a Super Bowl win. Could history repeat itself next season? Only time will tell.