It’s official (again) — Tom Brady is retiring from football.

Exactly a year after announcing his first retirement, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is retiring “for good” this time. The 45-year-old quarterback won’t be returning for another season in Tampa and he won’t be playing for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 season. Brady took to social media to announce his own retirement on Wednesday morning.

Upon Brady’s announcement, many were immediately skeptical, believing Brady isn’t done.

This time he is.

For as much flack as Brady has been given for coming out of his 40-day retirement last year, the timing didn’t feel right. Part of that had to do with the fact that his own retirement was leaked in a report before he could announce it himself. That obviously didn’t sit right with Brady, who has earned the right to be the one to announce his own retirement.

This time around, it was the G.O.A.T. himself who was able to announce his retirement.

Brady finished runner-up in MVP voting during the 2021 season — he arguably should have won the award — and came a possession short of advancing to the NFC Championship Game after almost overcoming a 24-point deficit in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams.

There was still a lot of tread left on the tires.

That’s not the case this time around.

As impressive as 45-year-old Brady was, setting single-season records in completions and pass attempts, there was a clear decline in play. We can blame the banged-up offensive line, we could blame the play-calling of Byron Leftwich or Todd Bowles stepping in as head coach. But it was also clear that Brady was simply missing a lot of passes that he would normally hit.

Despite that decline in play, Brady was still arguably a top six or seven quarterback in the league. The problem is, he had to literally carry the 2022 Buccaneers into the playoffs despite playing in the weakest division in all of football. Brady — who never had a losing record prior to this year — willed an 8-9 squad into the postseason after having to lead late comebacks against non-playoff teams such as the Rams, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints.

As ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported, it was either Bucs or retirement for Brady.

The reality is this — the Buccaneers’ window for a Super Bowl was closed, even if Brady decided to return. Brady knew this and is walking out at the right time.

Tampa Bay faces major challenges with their salary cap as they’ll be nearly $56 million over the salary cap entering the 2023 season, the second-worst mark in the league. Major free agents such as Lavonte David and Jamel Dean will likely walk and veterans such as Donovan Smith and Leonard Fournette are possible cap casualties.

It was clear throughout the season that Brady was exhausted. We know he was dealing with a divorce in the middle of the season, but this year felt different compared to the others from an on-field standpoint. Brady simply looked tired during and after games just having to keep this team competitive.

Darlington used that key term, “exhausted,” when describing Brady’s mentality upon his retirement.

You didn’t feel that way about Brady after last season. You knew he — and the Bucs — had at least one more run in them.

There is no such feeling this time around.

During his last postgame press conference, Brady appeared to be saying goodbye to the organization and media after three years in Tampa Bay. Many perceived it as a goodbye to the Buccaneers. It actually turned out to be his farewell to football itself.

“I just want to say thank you guys for everything this year. I really appreciate all your effort,” Brady said following the Buccaneers’ playoff loss on Jan. 16. “I know it’s hard for you guys too. It’s hard for us players to make it through. You guys got a tough job, and I appreciate all that you guys do to cover us. And everyone who watches and is a big fan of the sport, we’re grateful for everyone’s support. I love this organization. It’s a great place to be. Thank you everyone for welcoming me. And all you regulars, just very thankful for the respect and I hope I gave the same thing back to you guys. So thank you very much, appreciate it.”

We all know Brady wanted to play until the age of 45. It was his stated goal for many years, and one of the reasons why his playing career ended with the New England Patriots. Bill Belichick and the organization didn’t believe Brady — as great as he is — could play until the age of 45.

No quarterback in the history of the NFL had played at a high level until age 45. Heck, quarterbacks rarely played past the age of 40, as this statistic illustrates.

Brady did it (as he said would) and he did it at a higher level than anybody before him. He also made sure to break records, win Super Bowls and post MVP-caliber seasons deep into his 40’s.

Most importantly, Brady is going out on (literally) on his own terms. He’s going out after a record-breaking season, a playoff berth and as teams were on the verge of pursuing him in free agency.

The Bucs, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers were all potential destinations for a quarterback who would turn 46 years old this year.

How amazing is that?

Fans may not believe it. Some media may not believe it. But this is it — Brady’s retired.

For good, this time.