Tag: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady Made ‘Desperate’ 11-Day Attempt to Save Gisele Bündchen Marriage Before Divorce
Key Highlights
- Gisele Bündchen urged Tom Brady to retire following the New England Patriots’ 2017 Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
- Pressure for retirement began after the historic 25-point comeback in Super Bowl LI, according to reports.
- The revelation underscores long-standing tension between Brady’s pursuit of longevity and family considerations.
Pressure Mounts After Historic Super Bowl LI Comeback

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen had been advocating for her husband Tom Brady to step away from professional football since at least February 2017, when the New England Patriots engineered a record-setting 25-point comeback to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime at Super Bowl LI in Houston. The victory marked Brady’s fifth championship and cemented his status as the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, yet it also became the flashpoint for ongoing discussions about his playing future.

Decade-Long Dynamic Between Career Ambition and Family Priorities

The push for retirement after Super Bowl LI reflects a recurring theme throughout Brady’s final decade in New England and his subsequent tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Brady consistently expressed a desire to play until age 45, Bündchen — one of the world’s highest-paid models and a mother to their two children, Benjamin and Vivian — frequently voiced concerns about the physical toll, time away from family, and long-term health implications of the sport. The 2017 Super Bowl, widely regarded as the greatest comeback in championship history, apparently intensified those conversations rather than resolving them.

Brady’s Eventual Retirement Timeline Extends Years Beyond Initial Request

Despite the reported urging in 2017, Brady continued playing for five additional seasons. He led the Patriots to another Super Bowl title in 2019 (Super Bowl LIII) before departing for Tampa Bay in 2020, where he secured a seventh ring in his first season with the Buccaneers (Super Bowl LV). Brady briefly retired in February 2022, returned six weeks later for a final 2022 season, and ultimately retired for good in February 2023 at age 45 — six years after Bündchen’s initial push following the Falcons game.

Why This Matters

The disclosure that retirement pressure originated as early as Super Bowl LI adds significant context to one of sports’ most scrutinized marital and professional partnerships. It illustrates how elite athletes’ career decisions often involve complex family negotiations that play out privately long before public announcements. For Brady, the gap between that 2017 conversation and his 2023 retirement encompasses three more Super Bowl appearances, two more championships, and the delicate navigation of a high-profile marriage that ended in divorce in October 2022. The timeline also highlights the unique leverage quarterback longevity holds in modern NFL economics, where each additional season at an MVP level reshapes franchise trajectories and league narratives.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Gisele Bündchen first want Tom Brady to retire?

Reports indicate she had been pushing for his retirement since at least the 2017 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LI), when the Patriots defeated the Falcons in overtime.

What happened in the 2017 Super Bowl that prompted this?

The New England Patriots overcame a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime, marking the largest comeback in Super Bowl history and securing Brady’s fifth championship.

When did Tom Brady actually retire?

Brady retired for the first time in February 2022, briefly returned, and announced his final retirement in February 2023 after the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
09/26/2026
NFL Week 2 Picks: Why I’m Betting Against the Teams Everyone Expects to Bounce Back
NFL Week 2 Against the Spread Picks: Best Bets, Underdogs, and Overreactions

We are one week into the NFL season, and the hot takes are already flying. Despite a coach’s preseason declaration that Justin Herbert might become the greatest quarterback ever, the Los Angeles Chargers collapsed against the Arizona Cardinals. The media is overreacting, predicting immediate turnarounds for teams that looked bad. This preview avoids the knee-jerk narratives and focuses on the numbers, matchups, and situational spots that actually matter against the spread.

Week 1 Performance Recap

Last week’s record: 3-2 on best bets, 5-10-1 overall against the spread. Cold feet on the New York Giants and Cardinals cost us, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would have covered easily if Baker Mayfield hadn’t fumbled three times. Expect better discipline this week.

Thursday Night Football

Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4.5) | 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime

In hindsight, backing Josh Allen against a team that embarrassed him last year should have been the easy Week 1 play. Allen was aggressive and picked apart the Houston Texans. Now he opens the Bills’ new stadium against a Lions defense missing key pieces in the secondary and on the offensive line.

However, if C.J. Stroud can keep it close against Buffalo, Jared Goff can too. Detroit may have been looking past the New Orleans Saints toward this prime-time showdown. The Lions lost 48-42 to Allen’s Bills in 2024.

The pick: Lions +4.5

Sunday Early Slate

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) at Tennessee Titans | 1 p.m. ET, Fox

This shapes up as the biggest game of the Robert Saleh era in Tennessee. The Titans came out flat in his debut, and an ugly home loss to Philadelphia — with road games against the Giants and Baltimore Ravens looming — would bury their season. Cam Ward is not walking through that door to save Saleh; his 9.2% sack rate since entering the league ranks fourth-highest among quarterbacks, despite facing a below-average blitz rate (24% vs. league average 26%).

Conversely, the Eagles have a happy Jalen Hurts and travel exceptionally well under Nick Sirianni, winning at a league-best 70% rate on the road since his arrival.

The pick: Eagles -7.5

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans (-2.5) | 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Texans defense is too talented not to rebound. Houston allowed 11 explosive plays (runs ≥12 yards, passes ≥16 yards) to Buffalo, and the 11.5 yards per pass attempt surrendered was the worst mark under DeMeco Ryans (since 2023). Add in Joe Burrow’s sore back, and the home side looks vulnerable.

The pick: Texans -2.5

Carolina Panthers (-2.5) at Atlanta Falcons | 1 p.m. ET, Fox

This screams trap. Bryce Young set career highs in yards per completion (15.7) and first-down rate per passing attempt (46%) while throwing for 361 yards in a loss to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Falcons offense stalled with Cooper Rush against a lethargic Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Yet Carolina is not even laying a full field goal? The value is on the home underdog.

The pick: Falcons +2.5

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at New York Jets | 1 p.m. ET, Fox

The Jets defense looked legitimate against Tennessee, and that confidence should carry over. Prediction: New York records its first interception since Week 18 of the 2024 season. Green Bay went 2-6 against the Lions from 2021–24 when Aaron Glenn (now Jets head coach) was Detroit’s defensive coordinator, throwing nine interceptions — the most against any coordinator in that span. Expect a tight game decided by a field goal.

The pick: Jets +3.5

Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5) | 1 p.m. ET, CBS

The Baker Mayfield revenge narrative writes itself. Mayfield atones for last week’s fumbles against the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2018 and moved on. Cleveland hitched its wagon to the wrong quarterback; this is likely Deshaun Watson’s final start for the Browns. Their home opener arrives next week, and fans will boo — not primarily for off-field issues, but because his on-field play has been awful since he lost his confidence years ago.

The pick: Buccaneers -7.5

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (-5.5) | 1 p.m. ET, Fox

Ben Johnson is dead serious about shattering offensive records. He has produced two 500-yard games since his hiring a year ago, matching the franchise total from the previous 25 years. Caleb Williams has ample weapons and has become a composed operator; he should handle Minnesota’s hyper-aggressive defense (78% blitz rate) far better than Jordan Love did in Green Bay’s collapse last week.

The pick: Bears -5.5

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens (-7.5) | 1 p.m. ET, CBS

My Super Bowl and MVP tickets on Lamar Jackson have early life. Jackson was ruthlessly efficient under new offensive coordinator (and Ben Johnson disciple) Declan Doyle. Now they face a Saints run defense that bears no resemblance to last year’s sixth-ranked unit, surrendering 5 yards per carry against Detroit.

The pick: Ravens -7.5

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (-5.5) | 1 p.m. ET, CBS

A genuine toss-up. Pittsburgh’s offense lacks difference-makers, and Aaron Rodgers loves standing tall in the pocket almost as much as he enjoys his public health commentary. However, DK Metcalf should rebound from a rough debut featuring drops and penalties.

New England cratered after A.J. Brown’s injury in the opener; Drake Maye threw all three interceptions after that point, and his passer rating plummeted from 79.5 to 60.7. Back the superior pass rush and the points.

The pick: Steelers +5.5

Sunday Afternoon Slate

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) | 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The Justin Herbert debate arrives early. Having watched Herbert in practice repeatedly, I understand Jim Harbaugh’s faith. The throws are breathtaking. Perhaps new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel overcomplicated things in Week 1, and the Chargers defense has flown under the radar.

Las Vegas (and its secondary) is a classic “get-well” opponent; their decisive win over the Dolphins means little long-term. If Los Angeles doesn’t win comfortably, the Herbert faithful can officially panic.

The pick: Chargers -6.5

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (-2.5) | 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

Trevor Lawrence commanded the offense last week — against Cleveland, admittedly — and Liam Coen has instantly established himself as an elite play-caller. They face a Broncos defense that missed 28 tackles against Kansas City on Monday night, yielding 247 yards after missed tackles — the most by any NFL defense since 2018, per Next Gen Stats.

The pick: Jaguars +2.5

Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) | 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

After an offseason of hype, Dallas’ defense was alarmingly porous Sunday night. The Giants converted 9 of 11 third downs (the only failure was a game-ending kneeldown), and the Cowboys linebackers looked lost. Improvement is mandatory, especially with Washington averaging only 8.8 yards to go on third down in their loss to Philadelphia. But the fix won’t be instant. Take the points.

The pick: Commanders +4.5

Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) at Arizona Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

The least surprising Week 1 takeaway: Seattle’s defense remains elite, even shorthanded. It must carry the load again against red-hot Arizona, with Drew Lock replacing injured Sam Darnold at quarterback.

Jacoby Brissett — a richer man’s Drew Lock — kept the ball 15 minutes longer than the Chargers did last week and is receiving heavy public backing. Historically, that is when Brissett regresses, and against this defense, no one will blame him.

The pick: Seahawks -3.5

Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (-13.5) | 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

Here is an overreaction worth making: Miami goes 0-17. The dead cap space, roster holes, and brutal schedule were detailed last week; they also entered the season as the least-experienced team (608 career starts) in NFL history. San Francisco returns from a “road” win over the Rams in Australia, and even with jet lag and a letdown spot, the 49ers’ backups could likely handle this Dolphins team.

The pick: 49ers -13.5

Sunday Night Football

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) | 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

The new-look Chiefs — 31 designed runs against Denver after averaging 21 over the previous seven years — face the old-look Colts. Tenth-year GM Chris Ballard and fourth-year coach Shane Steichen watched Indianapolis lose the trench battle in the opener, while savior Daniel Jones couldn’t locate open receivers.

Indy’s response: strip the defensive green dot from safety Cam Bynum and give it to linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, who will presumably tell his teammates the Chiefs’ passing game is no longer dangerous. That adjustment screams cover.

The pick: Colts +6.5

Monday Night Football

New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) | 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN

Jaxson Dart exploited poor Dallas linebacker and cornerback play last week, and he boasts a dynamic 1-2 punch with Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely. That should keep New York competitive against a Rams defense missing Myles Garrett.

The pick: Giants +6.5

Week 2 Best Bets & Upset Special

Best Bets (Spread Coverage)
- Baltimore Ravens -7.5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -7.5
- Los Angeles Chargers -6.5
- Houston Texans -2.5
Dog of the Week: Detroit Lions +4.5

Upset Special (Spread ≥ 3 Points)

Pittsburgh Steelers +180 (Using 50-simoleon units; down 50 on the season.)

TruMedia research courtesy of Jason Starrett.
09/17/2026
Bucs-Bengals Features NFL’s Two Biggest Wild Cards in 2026, Plus Three Bounce-Back Teams

Buccaneers Enter 2026 Season with High Expectations After Mayfield Extension

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have eliminated their biggest offseason question mark by signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million contract extension. With their franchise signal-caller secured, Tampa Bay enters the 2026 campaign positioned to reclaim the NFC South crown after the Carolina Panthers ended their four-year division reign last season.

Offensive Firepower Gives Mayfield Multiple Weapons

The Buccaneers’ passing attack features a versatile trio of playmakers that should stress opposing secondaries. Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan joins veteran Chris Godwin Jr. and rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to create a receiving corps blending big-play ability with reliable chain-moving skills. McMillan is expected to miss the season opener with a knee injury, though the issue is not considered long-term.

Mayfield’s checkdown options are equally dangerous. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell both excel in space, giving the quarterback reliable outlets on swings, screens, and option routes when downfield coverage takes away primary reads. If Tampa Bay can establish a consistent ground game to complement its aerial attack, the offense has the pieces to challenge elite defenses weekly.

Defensive Rebuild Aims to Restore Bowles’ Signature Pressure

Head coach Todd Bowles’ reputation as a defensive architect took a hit in 2025 when the unit produced just 37 sacks — the franchise’s lowest total since 2017. The Buccaneers responded by overhauling the coaching staff and roster on that side of the ball, betting on a blend of youth and experience to reignite the pass rush.

Rookie outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., linebacker Josiah Trotter, and defensive back Keionte Scott are being counted on for immediate contributions alongside free-agent additions Alex Anzalone at linebacker and A’Shawn Robinson on the interior. They’ll join a proven core featuring defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, edge rusher Yaya Diaby, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The critical question remains whether this group can generate consistent quarterback pressure. Bain possesses the traits to become a premier sack artist, but he has yet to take a regular-season NFL snap. Until Tampa Bay proves it can disrupt opposing passing games, the defense risks forcing a one-dimensional, offense-reliant approach that rarely succeeds against the conference’s top teams.

2026 Outlook: Division Favorites with Playoff Upside

With Mayfield operating at a high level and a revitalized supporting cast, the Buccaneers are well-positioned to recapture the NFC South. Beyond the division, Tampa Bay’s ceiling depends on defensive improvement. If Bowles’ unit rediscovers its suffocating identity, the Buccaneers could secure a No. 3 or 4 seed in the NFC playoffs and emerge as a legitimate threat to reach Super Bowl LXI.

09/11/2026
Buccaneers Sign Undrafted Rookie Jalon Daniels as Backup Quarterback

Jalon Daniels has won the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backup quarterback job to open the 2026 season, according to a source who spoke to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The undrafted rookie began training camp as a long shot to make the roster behind starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and veteran Jake Browning, who signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay earlier this year. Daniels impressed during training camp and the Buccaneers’ preseason schedule, ultimately beating out Browning for the No. 2 role.

Buccaneers to release Jake Browning

Tampa Bay will release Browning on Sunday as the team reduces its roster to 53 players, a source told Rapoport.

“[Daniels] has shown a lot. He’s shown a lot,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after Friday’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “We’re going to go back and evaluate the film.”

Daniels joined the Buccaneers earlier this year on a contract that included a $25,000 signing bonus. The former Kansas star appeared in all three of Tampa Bay’s preseason games, completing 61.4% of his passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown.

Daniels started Friday’s 19-0 loss to the Jaguars but struggled, completing 8 of 15 attempts for 57 yards and losing a fumble.

“It’s not really the completions,” Bowles said. “It’s the overall operation to make sure he’s fine with that, and then we’ll come back and look at the film because it wasn’t very good offensively tonight.”

08/30/2026
Anthony Richardson Trade Rumor: Top 3 Landing Spots for Former No. 4 Overall Pick by Colts

When the Indianapolis Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, the quarterback was widely viewed as a high-risk, high-reward prospect. Two years into his NFL career, however, the risk appeared to be outweighing the potential. His 2025 season ultimately became a major setback.

Veteran Daniel Jones decisively won the Colts’ quarterback competition and helped turn Indianapolis into one of the NFL’s most productive offenses. Jones suffered a torn Achilles in early December, but Richardson was already on injured reserve after fracturing his orbital bone during a pregame warmup on October 13.

As the Colts prepare for the 2026 season, Jones has recovered well and remains the clear starter. Richardson is not guaranteed the backup role, either, with Riley Leonard also competing for the second-string position.

That competition may not reach a conclusion in Indianapolis. A report from Benjamin Allbright suggests Richardson could be traded “in the next few weeks,” with teams contacting the Colts to express interest in acquiring the former first-round pick.

Several teams could offer Richardson a potential landing spot, both as an immediate backup and as a possible future starter.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have been searching for a long-term quarterback solution for years. They are entering the 2026 season with the much-maligned Geno Smith as their starter and fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik as the backup.

Because Smith is playing under a one-year contract, Richardson could position himself to compete for the starting job in New York as soon as 2027.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield remains firmly established as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback, but the team has not given him the long-term contract he sought during the offseason.

With Jake Browning currently behind Mayfield, Richardson could have a realistic opportunity to win the backup role this season. If his development progresses as hoped, he could potentially succeed Mayfield in 2027.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons also face uncertainty at quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. has yet to show much during his NFL career, while Tua Tagovailoa has struggled during the preseason and could be traded soon.

That situation could give Richardson a clear opportunity to compete for playing time and rebuild his career in Atlanta.

Source: www.marca.com

08/28/2026
Tom Brady Reveals the Unique Way He Preserves Every Super Bowl Memory

Tom Brady Reveals the Personal Memories He Keeps From His Seven Super Bowl Wins

Tom Brady’s NFL legacy is defined by numbers that may never be matched: seven Super Bowl championships, 10 Super Bowl appearances, five Super Bowl MVP awards, countless comeback victories and record-setting performances.

But years after his final NFL season, the legendary quarterback revealed that some of his most treasured memories are not trophies, championship rings or game footage. They are text messages.

Brady keeps a digital archive of every Super Bowl victory

Brady recently shared that he maintains an organized digital archive on his phone, with a separate folder for each of his Super Bowl victories. He saves the messages he received after every championship.

“You know what’s pretty cool, let me show you my phone,” Brady said. “I have kept file folders. I file everything.”

Each folder contains congratulatory messages and personal notes sent to Brady after his Super Bowl triumphs.

“I keep all the amazing messages that people sent me. I wanted to keep them as great memories,” Tom said.

The collection spans a career unlike any other in NFL history. Brady won his first championship with the New England Patriots after the 2001 season and captured his final title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nearly two decades later. His seven Super Bowl victories remain the most by any quarterback in league history.

Rather than allowing those moments to fade with time, Brady created a system to preserve the personal side of each achievement.

“Congratulations and a lot of really cool ones over the years,” Brady said. “It’s such a special moment and you always want to remember.”

The personal side of Tom Brady’s greatness

Professional athletes often discuss championships in terms of preparation, sacrifice and execution. Brady’s comments offered a different perspective: His folders are not focused on statistics, highlight reels or media coverage, but on relationships.

Every championship generated messages from teammates, coaches, family members, friends and colleagues. Over time, those conversations became a digital time capsule documenting some of the most important moments of Brady’s life.

For an athlete who spent more than two decades under intense public scrutiny, the messages likely serve as reminders of the people who experienced those victories alongside him. The habit offers a surprisingly personal glimpse of a player often viewed primarily through the lens of records and accomplishments.

How organization shaped Brady’s NFL career

The revelation also highlights a characteristic that helped define Brady’s success: organization. Teammates and coaches frequently described him as obsessive in his preparation. Whether studying film, managing his training routines or keeping detailed notes on opponents, Brady built a reputation for leaving little to chance.

Creating and maintaining separate folders for every Super Bowl fits that profile. What might seem excessive to some is another example of the disciplined approach that helped transform a sixth-round draft pick into the most accomplished quarterback in NFL history.

Championship rings remain the most visible symbols of Brady’s success. Yet his comments suggest that the memories he values most may not be physical awards at all. Instead, they are the messages that arrived in the hours and days after football’s biggest games—the texts from people who shared the joy of victory, celebrated years of hard work and recognized the significance of those moments.

Source: www.marca.com

08/28/2026