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# Tom Brady’s retirement, reported by @AdamSchefter — confirmed, then undone

Reported on Jan 29, 2022; Brady announced it on Feb 1 and came back 40 days later.

Published 09 Nov 2026, 09:08 UTC · Leaked on 29 Jan 2022, 19:29 UTC

Leaked on 29 January 2022

![Evidence tray card: Tom Brady’s retirement, reported by @AdamSchefter — confirmed, then undone](https://leakly.com/assets/og/tom-brady-retirement-report.png)

On Jan 29, 2022, @AdamSchefter posted that Tom Brady was retiring after 22 seasons, citing multiple sources.

That day, Brady’s father denied it, and his agent said only Brady would announce his plans, CBS reported. Brady announced his retirement on Instagram on Feb 1, NFL.com reported.

Confirmed at the time. On March 13, 2022, Brady said he would return to the Buccaneers; CNBC noted the retirement lasted 40 days.

[Confirmed]

## What happened later

Confirmed, later reversed by Brady.

## Sources & captured post

> **Adam Schefter** @AdamSchefter
>
> Tom Brady is retiring from football after 22 extraordinary seasons, multiple sources tell @JeffDarlington and me.
> More coming on https://t.co/rDZaVFhcDQ. https://t.co/6CHWmMlyXg
>
> 233,039 likes · 63,506 reposts · counts as of 09 Nov 2026, 07:12 UTC
>
> [View the post on X](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1487508331967258630) · not in our leaker index

### Original source & corroborating coverage

* [Original X post by @AdamSchefter](https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1487508331967258630)
* [CBS News — Tom Brady's Father, Agent Deny Reports That Quarterback Has Decided To Retire](https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/tom-brady-retire-retirement-father-agent-refute-reports-retirement/)
* [NFL.com — Tom Brady officially announces retirement from NFL after 22 seasons](https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-officially-announces-retirement-from-nfl-after-22-seasons)
* [CNBC — Tom Brady says he is returning to Tampa Bay Buccaneers to play 23rd season in NFL](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/14/tom-brady-is-returning-to-tampa-to-play-23rd-season-in-nfl.html)

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