Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It's official -- Tom Brady will wear #12 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after securing the digits from teammate, Chris Godwin!!!

And, here's the crazy part -- Godwin gave it up for FREE!!!

There have been CRAZY stories in the past about players exchanging money, jewelry and more to trade jersey numbers with their teammates.

Most famously, Clinton Portis offered Ifeanyi Ohalete $40k for his #26 ... and the transaction actually ended up in court.

But, there was no drama this time around ... with Godwin just handing the number to Brady -- no strings attached.

It would have been a branding disaster for Tom to take a different number -- he's had #12 for 20 years and built his TB12 brand around it.

Godwin -- who will now wear #14 -- previously said he'd part ways with his number #12 jersey out of respect to the GOAT ... but mentioned he had been wearing doce since high school.

It may end up being a great investment for Godwin ... 'cause maybe TB12 will be looking for that #14 down the field a LOT more this season.

Tom Brady has NO hard feelings toward Bill Belichick despite his New England departure ... and calling their split this month a "divorce" wouldn't be fair -- so says the QB's dad.

"Divorce sounds a little bit harsh," Tom Brady, Sr. says, "I think it's a separation, you know?"

When Tom bolted for Tampa Bay earlier this month ... reports indicated Tom wasn't exactly pleased by the lack of love Bill and the Pats showed him when it came to free agency.

But, Tom's dad spoke with Steph Curry's parents, Sonya and Dell, on their "Raising Fame: Sports Edition" podcast ... and he shot down all rumors of a rift with The Hoodie.

"Bill's got a lot of responsibilities to keep the Patriots on track and that is a bigger responsibility than keeping Tommy under the hood," TB Sr. says.

"So, both of them are mature individuals and I really respect Bill's decision and respect Tommy's decision as well. It's okay to take different paths. You don't have to stay joined at the hip."

In fact, Tom's dad claims his son has nothing but love for the Patriots' head man ... even after the split.

"I mean, I can't tell you the hundreds of times that Tommy has said Bill is the best coach in football. Tommy sings Bill's praises."

Ex-Steelers stud Ike Taylor says Tom Brady is going to LOVE his new head coach, telling TMZ Sports he had a blast playing for Bruce Arians for YEARS in Pittsburgh.

"BA's a 'we' guy," Taylor says ... "He’s one of the guys. BA is one of the guys."

Taylor spent nearly a decade around Tampa Bay's head man when Arians was a Steelers assistant ... and Ike had nothing but good things to say about him when we talked to him this week.

In fact, when we asked if TB12 was going to have an easy time playing for the dude down in Florida ... Ike couldn't have been more convinced.

"BA is the ultimate player's coach," Taylor says. "Just from being around BA, Tom Brady is getting a player’s coach, who, for the most part, is just going to let him be him."

Of course, there's been some concern that Bruce's infatuation with the deep ball could hurt Brady -- considering that requires 42-year-old TB12 to hang in the pocket more and take more hits.

But Ike says he knows Arians will be flexible ... and might even implement some of Brady's old offense into this season.

"I would say six or eight games throughout the season the offense should be clicking," Ike says.

Have you seen those memes making fun of Jason Pierre-Paul's mangled hand? The ones where they compare him to a Ninja Turtle?

Yeah, JPP has seen 'em too ... and he's laughing all the way to the bank!

The Tampa Bay Bucs star finally decided to clap back at his hand-haters on Friday -- almost 5 years after a fireworks accident blew off parts of his right hand.

"For those all those memes out there with the ninja turtle hand lol. I'm still counting dem racks with it."

JPP ain't lyin' ... the 31-year-old just inked a 2-year, $25 MILLION contract to stay with the Bucs last week ... and has earned more than $75 million throughout his career.

But don't worry, the guy has a sense of humor ... and says he got a good laugh out of all the memes.

"I remember shiii was funny tho 😭😂😆🤣 never give up."

The Patriots can still continue as kings of the AFC East without Tom Brady ... so says Eli Manning, who claims even with the G.O.A.T. in Tampa, New England is in great shape.

The Giants legend (and noted Patriots killer) made the bold statement this week in an interview with the NY Post, saying you can never count out a Bill Belichick-coached squad.

"I think they still have a very good team, a great defense, great coaches," Manning said.

"Obviously Tom was a very important part on their success over the years, but I think they have kind of a way and they have a system that Belichick has implemented there that I think will continue to find ways to have success."

Of course, Eli says things will be different ... he still ain't sure who will fill Tom's shoes in 2020 -- but he's still confident in The Hoodie nonetheless.

As for Tom's departure ... Eli says he was shocked to see Brady move, saying, "I guess you just kind of wonder what was the reasoning?"

"I don’t know if he felt unappreciated, or just wanted to try something different, but was surprised that this went down."

Eli says he thinks Tom will find success with his new squad next season ... but he's wondering just how much having no offseason due to coronavirus will affect the team.

Bruce Arians just slammed the door right on Antonio Brown's face ... saying there's no way in hell the Buccaneers sign the guy -- despite the WR's plea for a roster spot in Tampa.

"I just know him," the head coach said Thursday. "And, it's not a fit in our locker room."

Brown has been begging Arians to give him a look since his old pal, Tom Brady, signed there last week ... and it seemed like the wideout was willing to give the team a massive discount.

In fact, AB even went as far as to say he had "a lot of fun" with Arians during their time together in Pittsburgh ... and thought they could rekindle the magic in Florida.

But, Arians, speaking on Tiki Barber's "Tiki And Tierney" show this week, said AB needs to look elsewhere for a job ... 'cause the Bucs have ZERO interest.

"Yeah, it's not gonna happen," Arians said. "It's not gonna happen. There's no room. And, probably not enough money. But, it's just not gonna happen. It's not a fit here."

Of course, Brown is perhaps the most talented wide receiver in the league ... but he'd bring serious baggage to any locker room -- and that's even if the NFL allows him to play.

Remember, Brown is accused of some heinous things -- including rape and assault -- and Roger Goodell and league officials are still investigating it all.

Plus, even on the field, AB hasn't been a model citizen ... he squabbled with the Oakland Raiders over a helmet and even got in a fight the team's GM -- this just months after he essentially forced his way out of Pittsburgh.

Joe Montana thinks it's a damn shame Tom Brady won't finish his career in New England ... and he's laying the blame for the GOAT's exit at the feet of the Patriots.

"I don’t know what’s going on inside there," Montana said Wednesday, "but somebody made a mistake."

Joe Cool told USA TODAY Sports there's just no way in hell that breakup needed to happen ... saying the Patriots really should have done more to keep their quarterback in the mix.

Of course, Montana doesn't necessarily think Brady's without fault for the dissolution of the relationship ... Joe said when he talked to Tom at the Super Bowl last month, he got the feeling that TB12 wanted to yield more power than Bill Belichick likely wanted to give up.

"He wants control," Joe said. "I mean, he wants a lot of control. I don’t know what Tampa Bay gave him, but at some point in time, you’re just a player."

"You can try to get what you can and do what you want, but in the end, you’re still not in the hierarchy when it comes to hiring people, firing people and all that."

Still, Montana thinks the Patriots should have worked it out ... saying his situation at the end of his 49ers career was not the same as Brady's current one.

“I had a different story, where they had made a decision," Montana said. "He, obviously, they never would have gotten rid of. I still don’t understand how New England let him get away. I don’t understand that.”

Joe believes Tom is going to have a lot more fun in Tampa regardless ... but he's warning Bruce Arians to implement some Patriots philosophies into his offense, or else it could be trouble for Tom.

"He’ll be a good addition to that team, as long as they don’t hold the ball like they’ve been doing," Joe says. "I don’t think he fits into that category to hold the ball."

Donovan Smith -- the man who will be in charge of blocking Tom Brady's blindside in Tampa Bay -- tells TMZ Sports he thinks with the addition of TB12, the Bucs' O is as good as ANYONE'S in the NFL!

"I definitely do like my lineup against anybody," Smith says. "We got a lot of pieces and stuff that play a pivotal part in our game and it's going to be fun."

Smith ain't kiddin' ... Brady, paired with elite wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to go along with two really good tight ends in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard, is a pretty stacked roster.

Smith says Ronald Jones in the backfield can't be slept on either ... and tells us he's excited as hell to block for it all at the left tackle position next season.

"It's going to be fun to watch and to be a part of," Smith says ... "Like I said, I like my squad."

In fact, Smith is already convinced there will be no letdown whatsoever for the Bucs this year now that Tom's in town ... telling us, "It's going to be a good year."

As for what Brady's reception will be like in Florida ... Smith -- who's played for the Bucs ever since they drafted him in 2015 -- tells us the GOAT is DEFINITELY going to feel the love!

"Trademark" Tom Brady is BACK -- the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is already rushing to secure some new phrases after switching teams -- this time, it's "TB X TB"

Of course, the media -- as well as the Bucs' very own Twitter account -- ran away with the play on TB to TB when the news broke ... and now TB12 is looking to lock it down. Just last week, his agents filed an application for the trademark, according to the L.A. Times.

The application states the phrase would be used on a bunch of merch -- from jerseys to shirts to sweatshirts ... even sleepwear.

TB12 is no stranger to the trademark game ... but it hasn't always been smooth sailin' for the 6-time Super Bowl winner.

Remember, Brady took a lot of heat when he infamously applied for the "Tom Terrific" phrase (which was Mets legend Tom Seaver's signature moniker).

Brady later explained he filed to prevent people from calling him the nickname, which he hates.

Tom Brady wouldn't say if he's locked up the #12 jersey in Tampa Bay yet ... but it seems the Bucs have already spoken for him -- because they're already selling it on their website!!!

Brady just addressed the media Tuesday for the first time since signing his contract with Tampa Bay ... and it was a master class in deflection.

It was cliche after cliche after cliche followed by non-answer after non-answer ... even when it came to the pseudo-controversy over the #12 Bucs jersey.

As we previously reported, star receiver Chris Godwin has rocked the jersey ever since he got to Tampa ... and it sure sounded like he wouldn't mind holding onto it in an interview with ESPN last week.

But, with TB12 being TB12, of course, it was only a matter of time before he got the uni ... and it seems the Bucs are confirming that news on their own site this week.

As for Brady's take on the digits ... well, like every other answer he gave during his phoner Tuesday, he didn't really talk about it.

Brady said he was solely focused on things of greater importance -- like adapting to his new team.

Tom also dodged other questions about his Pats departure throughout the 30-minute convo with media ... evading the Qs like he was Lamar Jackson!!!

Sorry, Bucs fans -- Tom Brady almost certainly ain't bringing Rob Gronkowski to Tampa this season ... Gronk's bro tells TMZ Sports he thinks the TE is officially DONE with football.

"I can't say anything for him," Chris Gronkowski says. "But, I think that he might be moving on ... I would be surprised for sure."

Of course, rumors have flown about a possible Gronk-Brady reunion in Tampa this past week ... with some thinking, the move is in the best interest of both parties now that TB12 is the Bucs' new starter.

Remember, Gronk's had a year off to get his body right after retiring suddenly in March 2019 ... and he'd certainly be a big weapon for his old pal in the new Florida digs. Also, Chris tells us Rob DID use to own property in the area.

But, Gronk just signed a deal with WWE to be a part-time personality for the org. ... and when we spoke with Chris on Monday, he said he thinks that should officially signal the end of Rob's football days.

"Man, it looks like it after this deal," Chris says. "But, I'm not him, so I have no idea what he's thinking. But, as of right now, it looks like a pretty cool position that he's in."

As for how Chris thinks Gronk's Wrestlemania-hosting gig will go next month ... big bro has all the confidence in the NFL legend, telling us, "I expect good things."

"I think it's going to be entertaining and I hope he gets in the ring at some point as well."

How does Tampa Bay Bucs superstar WR Mike Evans feel about his new 42-year-old QB, Tom Brady?!

"I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking!"

That's what the 26-year-old told gamers during a Fortnite stream on Twitch (he's a huge gamer) -- explaining why he's already thinking PLAYOFFS, BABY!

"He's about to be my quarterback, bro ... I've played 6 years in the NFL and I haven't been to the playoffs yet. Tom Brady has won 6 Super Bowls."

Evans continued ... "Bro, I've been on that Hennessy. Oh, I'm drinking. I got Tom Brady. You know what I'm saying?"

The 6'5" wideout is already considered one of the best WRs in the league -- in fact, in 2018 the Bucs signed him to a 5-year, $82.5 million contract extension!

Brady must be stoked about the situation as well -- he reportedly only had one major demand in his contract negotiations with the Bucs ... he wanted all of the players' personal cell phone numbers.

Antonio Brown is fully campaigning to be the next Tampa Bay Bucs WR -- saying he's already been texting with Tom Brady ... and praising head coach Bruce Arians.

"He's one of those guys that have befriended me," Brown said about TB12 during a radio hit Friday on "The Mike Calta Show" ... "One of my close friends around the NFL."

Of course, Tom was a big reason the Patriots signed Brown for the 2019 season -- though he was released after a bunch of horrible off the field issues.

But, they've stayed close ... Brown says he shot a few texts Tom's way after the Bucs signing -- "I congratulated him, wished him well."

Remember, Tom even let Antonio stay in his house with Gisele when he first came to Foxborough -- will he make the same offer in TB??

There could be one big hurdle ... earlier this year, Arians poo-pooed the idea of bringing Brown to TB back in January, saying AB was "too much diva" for him.

"I've heard so many stories -- I like Antonio -- he plays as hard as anybody on Sunday, and he practices hard. He's just gotta make better decisions off the field, be on time, do some of those little things," Arians said on "The Adam Schefter Podcast."

AB, however, doesn't see any problems ... telling Mike Calta he feels he could work very well with Arians.

"I think when I played with him in Pittsburgh, man, I was averaging like 16 yards a catch," Brown said of Arians. "I think he likes me. I think we had a lot of fun together, man."

Of course, Brown has a LOT of hurdles to jump over before the Bucs can even think about signing him ... AB is still under league investigation for multiple incidents -- including allegations he raped his former trainer. He was also arrested in January 2020 for assaulting a moving truck driver.

There will be no drama in Tampa over the #12 ... Buccaneers star receiver Chris Godwin says if Tom Brady wants his jersey, he can have it!!!

"Just out of respect to everything that he's accomplished and everything that he's done, I would kind of have to defer to him," Godwin said on ESPN on Friday. "He's the GOAT, you know?"

It's got to be a breath of fresh air for Brady to hear his new teammate say those words ... Tom's been rockin' the 1-2 for 20 YEARS -- and has built his whole TB12 brand around the number.

And, in even more good news for Brady, it sounds like he might not even have to part ways with a huge chunk of cash for the digits either.

"If he's willing to give it up, then perfect," Godwin said. "But, I mean, if not, then I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. But, I'm not too worried about it."

Of course, the number does mean a hell of a lot to CG ... he's been rockin' it since back in high school -- and has become one of the NFL's best receivers in the uni.

It's official ... Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer -- and he says he's "excited, humbled and hungry" to get started on the next chapter of his football career.

"If there is one thing I have learned about football, it’s that nobody cares what you did last year or the year before that," Brady said Friday. "You earn the trust and respect of those around through your commitment every single day."

He added, "I’m starting a new football journey and thankful for the @buccaneers for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do."

News of Brady's commitment to Tampa broke on Tuesday ... but it wasn't until he took a physical in NY later in the week that he was able to officially put pen to contract paper.

His new deal with TB is reportedly a two-year contract worth roughly $30 MILLION per season ... and the Bucs said Friday they could not be happier that the move is now official.

"I've known Tom since we drafted him in New England 20 years ago and through this process it became very clear that his desire to be a champion burns as strong today as it ever has," GM Jason Licht said. "He possesses the type of rare natural leadership qualities that will immediately impact our entire organization."

Brady added in his statement, "I have always believed that well done is better than well said, so I’m gonna not gonna say much more - I’m just gonna get to work! #Year1."

NFC South ... heads up!!!

"It was so exciting, almost as much as when I kissed my wife for the very first time 49 years ago!"

That's Dick Vitale SO pumped about Tom Brady joining up with his favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers team ... he could hardly contain his excitement on a phone call Wednesday with TMZ Sports!!

"I was really ecstatic," Vitale says ... "I mean, Tom Brady coming here is the best medicine!"

If you weren't aware ... Dickie V is one of the Bucs' biggest fans -- he's had season tickets for years -- and he believes TB12 heading south is going to do big things for Tampa Bay.

"They got the weapons," the legendary college basketball analyst says. "They just need leadership, and he'll provide that. He's the greatest of all-time, I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever!"

Vitale says ticket demands for the Bucs have gone up so much since the news of Brady's decision broke this week ... he's been offered free meals in exchange for some seats!