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Brady had originally retired after the 2021 season but returned 40 days later for one final run. That decision reportedly created friction in his marriage, with Bündchen wanting stability and family time while Brady chased one more season in the NFL spotlight.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The statistics from Brady’s last season reflect the personal struggles he described. For the first—and only—time in his 23-year career, Brady finished below .500. The Buccaneers posted an 8-9 record, managing to win the NFC South only because the division was weak. But the numbers masked the reality: this was not the same quarterback who led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl two years prior.
Bruce Arians, the coach who guided Brady to that championship, commented on the veteran star’s struggles, saying he “wasn’t himself” all season. Stress reportedly caused Brady to lose 15 pounds during the year. Handling a high-profile divorce while leading an NFL team proved a heavy burden.
The Buccaneers limped into the playoffs, only to be crushed 31-14 by the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. While Brady still threw for 4,694 yards with 25 touchdowns—numbers most quarterbacks would envy—the intangible magic, the swagger fans expected, was gone.
Knowing When to Walk Away
After the playoff defeat, Brady announced his retirement “for good” on February 1, 2023. This time, he meant it. “I had 23 years of [football], so I didn’t feel like I was missing anything, retiring,” he explained. “I felt like, ‘OK, this time I always had a goal — 45.’ I was 45 years old. I wanted to spend time with my kids, I felt like, ‘OK, now it’s time for me to be at all my kids’ games.'”
Brady shares two children with Bündchen—Benjamin and Vivian—as well as a son, Jack, from a previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan. The divorce finalized in October 2022 after 13 years of marriage. Bündchen has since moved on, marrying her jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente in December 2025 and welcoming a baby boy in February 2025. Sources say Brady, informed of the wedding in advance, is focusing on co-parenting. “He’s happy in the way that is simple: he’s happy that she is happy,” an insider told the Daily Mail.
Life Off the Field Matters
Brady’s revelation highlights an often-overlooked truth about professional athletes: they are human. Life’s pressures—divorce, family issues, personal crises—don’t vanish simply because someone wears a jersey on Sundays. Studies show roughly 35% of elite athletes face mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Stress doesn’t just affect mood; it changes performance. Muscle tension increases, decision-making falters, and execution suffers under pressure. Brady experienced all of it in 2022. Cameras captured him smashing a tablet in frustration against the Saints and berating his offensive line against the Steelers. The composed, unshakeable Tom Brady fans admired for years appeared rattled, week after week.
Even legends have limits. Tom Brady’s final NFL season proved that personal life struggles can touch even the greatest athletes, reminding everyone that behind the rings and records, they are still human.
