Former New England Patriots receiver Danny Amendola has declared he would come out of retirement if Tom Brady asked him to return to the NFL.
Brady originally retired earlier this offseason but sensationally reversed his decision just 40 days later. The seven-time Super Bowl champion instead returned for a 23rd season in the NFL, and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain playoff hopefuls as they remarkably lead the NFC South despite possessing a losing record.
Brady will be a free agent for the second time in his illustrious career when his contract with the Buccaneers expires at the end of the season. The 45-year-old is reportedly considering signing with a new team following sensational reports he has decided to continue playing beyond the current campaign.
Amendola played for the Patriots between 2013 and 2017, winning two Super Bowl titles as a favourite target of Brady in Foxborough. The 37-year-old retired in 2021, but revealed he would happily return to action if Brady needed him in New England or potentially with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Absolutely,” Amendola told host Colin Cowherd on Fox Sports' The Herd. “Tom’s done a lot for me and if he needs me, I’d always play for Tom. You know I’m happy not playing. I got enough football, I played for 14 years in the NFL. Played a lot of football. My knees feel better on Monday this year watching football from the couch.
“But of course, if Tom called, yeah, definitely I’d have to go back. If he summoned me out of retirement.”
Amendola caught 12 touchdown passes from Brady during his time in New England, and was a seen as something of a safety blanket for the quarterback. He starred in an offence alongside fellow receiving targets Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan and Rob Gronkowski as the Patriots dominated the decade.
Brady had reportedly planned to call time on his legendary career after the 2022 season, but there appears to have bene a change in plan following his divorce from model Gisele Bundchen. Their 13-year marriage collapsed recently, and his personal life turmoil has seemed to alter Brady’s plans when it comes to his playing career.
While he is without the services of Amendola, Brady will look to lead his 6-7 Buccaneers to the playoffs as they sit atop the NFC South despite their dismal record. The Bucs welcome the 9-4 Cincinnati Bengals to Florida on Sunday.
