Tom Brady is retiring, for real this time (maybe)

On the one-year anniversary of his retiring for the first time, Tom Brady has retired again. And this time, it seems like it's for real (maybe). Brady wanted to announce his decision via video rather than the lengthy, drawn-out statement he put out last February. He said it's for good this time, but I'll believe that when I see it.

Truly grateful on this day. Thank you □□❤️ pic.twitter.com/j2s2sezvSS

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 1, 2023

There were plenty of rumors about Brady playing elsewhere in 2023 - Las Vegas and San Francisco being the two favorites - and then a return to Tampa Bay was also floated as a possibility. It came down to a return to the Buccaneers and retirement. The Bucs found out about his decision around the same time we did.

Tom Brady informed Bucs today at 6 am he’d be retiring. One aspect I’d been mentioning for a bit now: Brady for months implied to many close to him that it was going to be either a return to Tampa or retirement. Tough for many to believe, including those close, but he meant it.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 1, 2023

more qb news:

• The Carolina Panthers have a new coach in Frank Reich, who has been on the losing end of quarterback battles since Andrew Luck. General Manager Scott Fitterer stated their preference in drafting and developing a quarterback in this year's draft. "If there's a guy in this class that you like, you got to go up and get him. We're in a position now where we have a defense; we have an offensive line. We built around this for this opportunity."
  

• While the team has not begun contract talks with QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen said the club is interested in bringing him back. Jones had the best season of his career under Brian Daboll and earned respect around the league. Unless they can find an upgrade, I'd expect them to re-sign Jones.
  

Giants general manager Joe Schoen met with reporters in Mobile, telling us negotiations haven’t yet started with QB Daniel Jones but “We want Daniel back”

— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) February 1, 2023

• Trey Lance was supposed to be the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers this season before he broke his ankle at the start of the season. Then the same thing happened to Jimmy Garoppolo, which left the rookie third-stringer in Brock Purdy. Lance spoke highly of Purdy and how he handled everything. "I was just super excited for him. He worked his butt off, all OTAs, since the first day he got here, since the day he got drafted. So he deserved everything he got this year and more."
  
  • Purdy is still considering options for his UCL, while most are recommending surgery.
    

• The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2023 off-season with Desmond Ridder as their quarterback. Ridder took over for Marcus Mariota after their bye week and would be the favorite for the starting position heading into 2023. However - with a ton of cap space and a lot of veteran QBs on the move, the Falcons are an interesting spot to keep an eye on. General Manager Terry Fontenot said they're open to bringing someone in. "We're excited about where we are, but yet, we are going to add players... we always want to keep adding to the group."
  

• Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is signed through the 2026 season, and vice president Stephen Jones said the team is committed to him long-term. Prescott will be without offensive coordinator Kellen Moore this year, meaning he'll likely be learning a new offense with head coach Mike McCarthy likely to call plays.
  

Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are committed to Dak Prescott long term and are open to extending his contract.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 1, 2023

• Finally, some good news regarding Tua Tagovailoa's health. He has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol and should be ready to go in time for football season. The Miami Dolphins remain adamant that they are committed to Tagovailoa moving forward. However, the amount of concussions he has had in such a short time is still concerning.
  

#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, sources say. He met with several medical professionals in the process. They are confident he’ll be 100% when the time comes for football.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2023

• Justin Fields came close to breaking Lamar Jackson's single-season rushing record (and probably would have, had he been active in Week 18), but the Chicago Bears want him to do less running moving forward, as it took a toll on his body. "It's got to be a part of who you are, but in the NFL, it's hard for it to be who you are - you just don't last... So we've got to make sure we just tap into each one of those things, but running, for sure, has to be a part of who we are going forward."
  

• Patrick Mahomes was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's practice, as the Kansas City Chiefs did not hold a full practice.