Career Timeline of Tom Brady: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Tom Brady built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Tom Brady is a retired American football quarterback, widely considered the greatest of all time. He played 23 seasons in the NFL, leading the New England Patriots for 20 years and contributing significantly to their dynasty. He concluded his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His accomplishments include numerous Super Bowl wins and records, solidifying his legendary status in the sport.
1978: Undefeated Season
In 2007, Tom Brady led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since the 16-game schedule was implemented in 1978.
1990: AP Male Athlete of the Year
In 2007, Tom Brady was named the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, was honored as the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, the first time an NFL player earned the honor since Montana won in 1990.
1995: College Football at the University of Michigan
In 1995, Tom Brady began playing college football at the University of Michigan for the Wolverines, where he redshirted his first year.
1995: Drafted by the Montreal Expos
In 1995, Tom Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 18th round of the MLB Draft.
September 28, 1996: First Collegiate Game Appearance
On September 28, 1996, Tom Brady made his first appearance in a collegiate game for Michigan against UCLA, late in the fourth quarter. His first pass attempt was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
1998: Starting Job at Michigan
In 1998, Tom Brady started every game for the Michigan Wolverines, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention. He also set Michigan records for most pass attempts and completions in a season.
1999: College Football at the University of Michigan
In 1999, Tom Brady continued playing college football at the University of Michigan for the Wolverines.
1999: Starting Job at Michigan
In 1999, Tom Brady started every game for the Michigan Wolverines for the second season, earning All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention and becoming team captain.
1999: Platooning and Starting in 1999 Season
In the 1999 season, Tom Brady platooned with Drew Henson for the first seven games before securing the starting quarterback position exclusively for the remainder of the season.
2000: Rookie Season
During the 2000 rookie season, Tom Brady was the fourth-string quarterback at the start, eventually moving to second. He completed one of three passes for six yards. Rod Rutledge caught Brady's first pass in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
2000: Wins at the 2000 Orange Bowl
In 2000, Tom Brady posted a 20-5 record, including wins at the 1999 Citrus Bowl and 2000 Orange Bowl.
2000: Drafted by New England Patriots
In 2000, Tom Brady was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round as the 199th overall pick. Coming out of college, he was not highly regarded. He was grateful to be drafted as he would not have to be an insurance salesman. Robert Kraft recalled meeting Brady with a pizza box and Brady declaring he was the best decision the organization ever made.
2001: Start of Patriots Dynasty
From 2001 to 2019, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots dynasty, commonly referred to as the Brady–Belichick era.
2001: Named Starting Quarterback
In 2001, Drew Bledsoe started as quarterback for the Patriots. During a game against the New York Jets on September 23, Bledsoe was injured, and Tom Brady replaced him. Brady was then named the starting quarterback for the game against the Indianapolis Colts.
2001: Central Contributor to Patriots Dynasty
In 2001, Tom Brady became a central contributor to the New England Patriots' dynasty.
2001: AFC Offensive Player of the Week Nominations
In 2001, Tom Brady led the Patriots to victory against the San Diego Chargers. He finished with 364 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He won a second nomination after a game at Indianapolis, and another after a four-touchdown game against the New Orleans Saints.
2002: Super Bowl Victory and MVP Award
In 2002, Tom Brady started in the Super Bowl, leading the Patriots to a 20-17 win against the Rams. He drove the offense down the field to set up a game-winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP, throwing for 145 yards and one touchdown. He became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl at 24 years and 6 months.
2002: Playoff Miss
In 2008, The Patriots managed to finish the 2008 season with an 11–5 record. However, due to tiebreakers, the Patriots not only failed to win the AFC East division title, but missed the playoffs altogether for the first time since the 2002 season.
2002: Three-Game Losing Streak
In 2022, Brady and the Buccaneers lost in Weeks 6, 7, and 8, dropping the team to 3–5. It was the first three-game losing streak for Brady since his 2002 season with the Patriots.
2002: Eclipsing 2002 Record
In the 2021 season, the Buccaneers' 13–4 regular season record eclipsed the 12–4 record of the 2002 Super Bowl winning team.
2003: Regular Season Success
After a 2-2 start in 2003, Tom Brady led the Patriots to twelve consecutive victories, finishing the regular season at 14-2, winning the AFC East. He also recorded a 36-yard punt in a game against the Dolphins. Brady finished with 3,620 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.
2003: Consecutive Titles
In 2003, Tom Brady helped the Patriots win consecutive titles.
2003: First Opening Day Loss Since 2003
Tom Brady's 2014 season started with an opening day loss to the Dolphins. This was Tom Brady's first opening day loss since the 2003 season.
2004: NFL Record for Consecutive Wins
During the 2004 season, Tom Brady and the Patriots set an NFL record with 21 straight wins dating from the previous year. The Patriots finished with a 14-2 record, equaling their 2003 record and winning the AFC East title for the third time in four years. Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns and was voted to his second Pro Bowl.
2004: Consecutive Titles
In 2004, Tom Brady helped the Patriots win consecutive titles.
2004: Super Bowl XXXIX Victory
In 2004, Tom Brady led the Patriots to wins over the Colts and the Steelers to reach Super Bowl XXXIX. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21, capturing their third championship in four years, becoming the first franchise since the Dallas Cowboys to do so. Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
2004: Record Breaking Touchdowns
In 2007, Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's record of 49 touchdowns in the 2004 season, during the last game of the season against the Giants in which the Patriots won 38-35, Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season.
2005: Season Achievements and Pro Bowl Selection
During the 2005 season, Tom Brady adjusted to changes in the Patriots' running backs and center positions. Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 350-yard, three-touchdown victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the season with 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the league in passing yards. He was named to his third Pro Bowl.
2006: 2006 Season
In 2006, Tom Brady led the Patriots to a 12–4 record and the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs. Brady finished the regular season with 3,529 yards and 24 touchdowns. He was not initially selected to the Pro Bowl, and declined an injury-replacement selection.
2007: Stetson Cologne Model
In 2007, Tom Brady was a model for Stetson cologne.
2007: Record-Breaking Season and Offensive Player Awards
In 2007, Tom Brady, with an overhauled receiver corps, had one of his best seasons. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and October. Brady led the Patriots to a 16-0 regular-season record, outscoring opponents by an average of 37-17. He had a career-high five passing touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys and six against the Dolphins, setting a franchise record. He broke Peyton Manning's record of consecutive games with three or more touchdowns, reaching nine games. Against the Giants, Brady threw his 50th touchdown of the season, breaking Manning's single-season record. Tom Brady was named as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week five times.
October 18, 2009: Brady Sets NFL Record for Touchdowns in a Quarter
On October 18, 2009, Tom Brady set an NFL record against the Titans for most touchdowns in a single quarter, throwing five in the second quarter. He finished the game with six touchdowns, tying his career-high, and 380 passing yards. The Patriots won 59–0, tying the record for the largest margin of victory since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. He was later named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
2009: Patriots lose to Ravens in Wild Card Round
During the 2009 season, Brady threw for 154 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in a 33–14 Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. This marked his first career home playoff loss and the Patriots' first home playoff loss since 1978.
2009: Start of 11 Consecutive Division Titles
From 2009, Tom Brady led the Patriots to 11 consecutive division titles until 2019.
2009: Brady's 2009 Season
In 2009, Brady completed the regular season with 4,398 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, achieving a 96.2 rating, despite injuries. He was selected as a reserve for the 2010 Pro Bowl and was named the 2009 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
2009: Denied First-Round Bye
In 2009, the Patriots were denied a first-round bye for the first time since 2009, which combined with a win by the Chiefs.
2009: Return from Injury
In the 2009 season opener against the Bills, Tom Brady's first game in more than a year, he threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Benjamin Watson on two touchdowns to lead the Patriots to a 25-24 win. Brady won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.
September 10, 2010: Brady Signs Four-Year Contract Extension
On September 10, 2010, Tom Brady signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension with the NFL, making him the highest-paid player in the league. The extension included $48.5 million in guaranteed money.
2010: 2010 NFL season
In 2004, The 2011 Green Bay Packers, defended their 2010 championship season with a 15-1 record.
2010: Brady Selected to 2010 Pro Bowl
In 2009, Brady was selected as a reserve to the 2010 Pro Bowl.
2010: Brady named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year
In 2011, Tom Brady was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. By unanimous decision, he won the MVP award for the second time in his career.
2011: Start of Eight Consecutive AFC Championship Games
From 2011, Tom Brady led the Patriots to eight consecutive AFC Championship Games until 2018.
2011: Brady Selected as Starter to 2011 Pro Bowl
In 2011, Tom Brady was selected as a starter to the Pro Bowl. He pulled out of the game after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot. Brady was also the only unanimous selection for the AP All-Pro Team and was named the 2010 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the MVP award for the second time. He was also ranked the best player in the NFL by his peers.
2011: Brady Throws Career-High 517 Yards
In Week 1 of the 2011 season, Tom Brady threw for a career-high 517 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in a 38–24 win over the Dolphins. In the game, he threw a record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker. Brady closed out the season being named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November and December. In addition, he was the Week 16 AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
2011: 2011 NFL season
In the 2004 season, the Patriots had a 14-2 record. This record was eventually surpassed by the 2011 Green Bay Packers, who defended their 2010 championship season with a 15-1 record.
2012: Brady Ranked Fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2012
For his efforts in the 2011 season, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl and was named as the fourth-best player in the NFL on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012 by his peers.
2012: Brady Leads Patriots to 12-4 Record in 2012
In 2012, Tom Brady started all 16 regular season games and led the Patriots to a 12–4 record. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week three times. He became the first quarterback to lead his team to ten division titles. He finished the season with 4,827 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, only eight interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.7. Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his career.
2012: Breaks NFL Record
In 2012, against the Falcons, Brady broke his own NFL record for completions in a season, as well as Matthew Stafford's 2012 record for pass attempts in a season.
February 25, 2013: Brady Signs Three-Year Contract Extension
On February 25, 2013, Tom Brady and the Patriots agreed on a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through 2017.
2013: Brady Ranked Fourth on NFL Top 100 Players of 2013
In 2012, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his career. On the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013, Brady was ranked fourth by his fellow players for the second consecutive year.
2013: Brady Breaks TD:INT Ratio Record
In 2016, Tom Brady ended the regular season with 28 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions, breaking the previous TD:INT ratio record of Nick Foles's 27:2 figure set in 2013 with the Eagles.
2013: Playoff Loss
The loss to the Cowboys marked the first time since 2013 that Brady lost in the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
2014: Endorsement Earnings
In 2014, Tom Brady earned about $7 million from endorsements.
2014: Brady Named to Pro Bowl for Ninth Time
In 2014, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his career and was ranked third on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014 list in the off-season.
2014: Brady's Season and AFC East Division Title
Tom Brady started the 2014 season with a loss to the Dolphins. He led the Patriots to a seven-game winning streak. He won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Brady clinched his NFL record 12th AFC East division title with a Week 14 win against the San Diego Chargers.
2015: Brady Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 List
In 2014, Tom Brady was named to his tenth career Pro Bowl and was ranked third by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015 list.
February 29, 2016: Brady Signs Contract Extension on February 29, 2016
On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
August 23, 2016: TB12 Snack Line Expansion
On August 23, 2016, the TB12 brand expanded to offer a snack line.
December 20, 2016: Brady Named to Pro Bowl for the Twelfth Time
On December 20, 2016, Tom Brady was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth straight season and 12th time overall.
2016: Brady Returns from Suspension and Earns Player of the Month
After serving his four-game suspension, Tom Brady made his 2016 season debut on October 9, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Brady's performance in his first four games after the suspension earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for October.
2016: Brady's Performance and Team Challenges in 2016
Despite injuries to key players in 2016, the Patriots finished the season 12–4. Brady finished the regular season with a league-leading 36 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He was named to his 11th Pro Bowl and was ranked as the second best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
May 12, 2017: Cover Athlete for Madden NFL 18
On May 12, 2017, Tom Brady was announced as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 18.
September 2017: Publication of The TB12 Method
In September 2017, Simon & Schuster published Tom Brady's first book, The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance, which became a number one best-seller.
2017: 2017 Season Achievements
During the 2017 season, Brady achieved several milestones, including winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week multiple times, setting a record for most regular season wins in NFL history, being selected to the Pro Bowl for the 13th time, leading the league in passing yards, being named a first-team All-Pro, and being named the NFL Most Valuable Player for the third time.
2017: Brady Ranked First on NFL Top 100 Players of 2017
In 2016, Tom Brady was ranked first on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 as the best player in the league, becoming the first player to be named as #1 twice since the listing began.
2017: Contract Extended Until 2017
On February 25, 2013, Tom Brady and the Patriots agreed on a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the team through 2017.
2018: Ranked No. 1 on NFL Top 100 Players of 2018
For the second straight year and third time overall, Tom Brady was ranked No. 1 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
2018: End of Eight Consecutive AFC Championship Games
In 2018, Tom Brady's streak of leading the Patriots to eight consecutive AFC Championship Games ended.
2018: Contract extended until 2018
On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
August 4, 2019: Contract Extension
On August 4, 2019, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension worth $70 million through the 2021 season, allowing him to become a free agent after the 2019 season. Against the 2019 Patriots salary cap, Brady was the highest-paid player on the team at $21.5 million.
2019: End of Patriots Dynasty
From 2001 to 2019, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick led the New England Patriots dynasty, commonly referred to as the Brady–Belichick era.
2019: 19th NFL Season
In 2019, Brady reached his 19th NFL season with the patriots. In Week 5, Brady's 500th career touchdown pass went to Josh Gordon. In Week 6, Brady secured his 200th career regular season win. In Week 15, Brady reached 70,000 passing yards. He earned his 14th career Pro Bowl nomination. He was ranked sixth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
2019: End of 11 Consecutive Division Titles
In 2019, Tom Brady's streak of leading the Patriots to 11 consecutive division titles ended.
2019: Contract extended until 2019
On February 29, 2016, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract extension covering the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
March 17, 2020: Departure from the Patriots
On March 17, 2020, Tom Brady announced he would not re-sign with the Patriots for the 2020 season, ending his 20-year tenure in New England.
March 20, 2020: Signing with the Buccaneers
On March 20, 2020, Tom Brady signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $50 million in fully guaranteed money.
April 2020: Reunion with Rob Gronkowski
In April 2020, Tom Brady was reunited with Rob Gronkowski when the tight end came out of retirement and was traded to the Buccaneers.
2020: 2020 Season with Buccaneers
During the 2020 season, Tom Brady led the Buccaneers to end a 13-year playoff drought. He finished the season with 4,633 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, securing a wild card spot for the first time in his career.
2020: Joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2020, Tom Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2020: Launch of 199 Productions
In 2020, Tom Brady launched a production company, 199 Productions.
2020: Wild Card Berth
In 2020, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a wild card berth.
2020: Signed with Tampa Bay
In 2020, Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay and ended the team's postseason and playoff win droughts.
January 2021: Autograph Funding
In January 2021, Autograph, the sports-based NFT platform co-founded by Tom Brady, announced it raised $170 million in funding.
March 12, 2021: Contract Extension with Buccaneers
On March 12, 2021, Tom Brady signed a one-year contract extension through the 2022 season with the Buccaneers.
2021: Record-Breaking Season
During the 2021 season, Tom Brady set an NFL record with 485 pass completions for a career-high 5,316 passing yards. He became the oldest player in NFL history to pass for at least 5,000 yards and marked his 15th Pro Bowl nomination.
2021: Defeat All 32 Teams
In 2021, Tom Brady became one of four quarterbacks to defeat all 32 teams.
2021: Super Bowl LV Victory
In 2021, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 31–9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the game, extending his record for most Super Bowl wins and Super Bowl MVP awards. He also became the second quarterback to lead two different teams to Super Bowl wins, and the first to win Super Bowl MVP with two different teams. He was ranked seventh by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.
2021: Set Season Record
In 2021, Tom Brady set the season record for completions and led the league in passing yards and touchdowns; his passing yards were a career-high.
2021: FTX Spokesperson
In 2021, Tom Brady was a paid spokesperson for FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange.
2021: Contract Details
Tom Brady's two-year contract extension signed on August 4, 2019, was worth $70 million through the 2021 season and allowed him to become a free agent after the 2019 season.
February 1, 2022: Retirement Announcement
Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL on February 1, 2022, after 22 seasons.
March 13, 2022: Un-retirement Announcement
On March 13, 2022, just 40 days after initially announcing his retirement, Tom Brady announced he would return to the Buccaneers for the 2022 season.
May 10, 2022: Brady Joins Fox Sports
On May 10, 2022, Fox Sports announced that Tom Brady would join the network as the lead color commentator in a deal reportedly worth $375 million over 10 years.
2022: Contract Extended Through 2022
In 2021, Tom Brady's contract extended through the 2022 season with the Buccaneers.
2022: Brady's First Losing Season
In 2022, Tom Brady experienced his first losing season as a starter and marked the first season where he lost eight or more games.
2022: NFC South Titles
In 2022, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC South title.
February 1, 2023: Brady Announces Retirement
On February 1, 2023, Tom Brady announced his retirement "for good" on social media.
March 2023: Purchase of Las Vegas Aces Stake
In March 2023, Tom Brady purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.
May 2023: Considering Un-Retirement
In May 2023, Brady heavily considered un-retiring to play the 2023 season but was "forced" to decide against it when his friends hosted a surprise retirement party for him.
May 2023: Agreement to Purchase Las Vegas Raiders Stake
In May 2023, Tom Brady and Tom Wagner agreed to purchase 10% of the Las Vegas Raiders, but the deal was delayed.
August 2023: Minority Owner of Birmingham City
In August 2023, Tom Brady became a minority owner and chairman of a new advisory board at English football club Birmingham City and also founded Team Brady, an electric boat racing team.
September 6, 2023: Brady Hired as Delta Air Lines Advisor
On September 6, 2023, Delta Air Lines announced they had hired Tom Brady as a strategic advisor.
December 2023: Brady Reflects on Retirement
In December 2023, Tom Brady reflected on the year and mentioned he heavily considered un-retiring in May to play the 2023 season but decided against it after a surprise retirement party.
2023: 2023 NFL Season
In 2004 the New England Patriots won their second straight Super Bowl. Up until the 2023 season, the 2004 New England Patriots were the last NFL team to win a second straight Super Bowl.
January 2024: Merger with NoBull
In January 2024, Tom Brady agreed to merge his health and apparel brands with NoBull and become its second largest shareholder.
October 2024: Approval of Revised Raiders Stake Agreement
In October 2024, a revised agreement was approved by NFL owners, with Brady owning a 5% stake and Wagner owning 5% of the Las Vegas Raiders.
2024: Color Commentator and Partial Owner
In 2024, Tom Brady became the lead color commentator for the NFL on Fox and a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
2024: Broadcasting Career Begins
In 2024, Tom Brady began his broadcasting career during the UFL Championship Game and made his NFL on Fox debut alongside Kevin Burkhardt, and was also part of the Fox broadcast team for Super Bowl LIX.
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