Marcus Spears: Tom Brady returned because 'his damn ego got in the way'

ESPN analyst Marcus Spears believes he knows why quarterback Tom Brady returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and isn't yet calling games from a broadcast booth. 

"He is learning that his damn ego got in the way. That’s what he learned," Spears said of Brady during an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show," per Jordan Bondurant of Barrett Sports Media. "Because what happened in Tampa based on what he needs can happen next year. They can suffer injuries next year. New contracts, guy moving places, can happen next year." 

Brady temporarily retired in February but confirmed his return to the Buccaneers in March shortly before Tampa Bay head coach and offensive guru Bruce Arians publicly confirmed he was stepping down. Under Todd Bowles, Arians' successor, the Buccaneers have dealt with a plethora of injury woes and fallen to 5-6 on the season. However, they remain a first-place club thanks to the woeful state of the NFC South. 

Spears reminded the audience that Brady signed a 10-year deal reportedly worth $375 million with Fox Sports to become that company's lead NFL analyst whenever the seven-time Super Bowl champion retires from playing, for good. More recently, it's been said that Brady could play for the Buccaneers again in 2023 or sign with a different team when the new league year opens in March. Spears sounded unconvinced the 45-year-old should consider giving his current employer an offseason to right the figurative ship. 

"Right now it’s a bunch of disarray in Tampa," Spears explained. "So even if he decides to come back, is Tampa the right place? We don’t know that."

Brady isn't a Most Valuable Player candidate as he was at this point of the 2021 campaign, but he also hasn't been a massive problem for the Tampa Bay offense. ESPN stats show he's tied for 15th in the league among qualified quarterbacks with a 92.4 passer rating, tied for 17th with a 53.9 total QBR, and fourth with 3,051 passing yards this season. In 11 games, he's thrown 14 touchdown passes and two interceptions. 

The Buccaneers next host the 4-8 New Orleans Saints this coming Monday night.