The only losing season of Tom Brady's career as a starter
In short: In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers achieved a historic feat: winning their division while simultaneously posting a losing record. It was a season of extreme pivots, from a quarterback unretiring after 40 days to a team becoming one of the few in NFL history to reach the playoffs with a losing season.
The 2022 season was defined by a chaotic offseason. On February 1, Tom Brady announced his retirement, only to reverse the decision on March 13 after just forty days. This reversal triggered a massive wave of roster restructuring, including the signings of players like Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, and Julio Jones. It also saw the transition from head coach Bruce Arians to Todd Bowles, who was elevated from his role as defensive coordinator.
On the field, the Buccaneers experienced a rollercoaster of momentum. After a 2–0 start, they lost five of their next six games, including a Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Despite this, they secured the NFC South title for the second consecutive season—a first in franchise history. The team was noted for its offensive volume, attempting an NFL-record 751 passes during the campaign.
The season culminated in a statistical anomaly. By finishing with a losing record but still clinching a playoff berth, Tampa Bay became only the fourth team in NFL history to achieve this feat. For Brady, the season was a personal milestone of failure and resilience: it marked his first eight-loss season as a starter and his first losing season in his career, yet he still managed to lead the team to a dramatic late-season surge featuring last-second victories.
The year also saw significant individual milestones. Brady became the oldest starting quarterback in NFL history during a Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Conversely, the season was marked by physical tolls, with key players like Chris Godwin and Julio Jones sidelined by injuries, and a notable on-field altercation between Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore that resulted in an ejection and suspension.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
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