Buccaneers GM will leave 'flashlight' on for Tom Brady return

History continues to repeat itself in the NFL this offseason. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht spoke at the NFL combine on Tuesday about quarterback Tom Brady potentially returning to the club for the second consecutive March. 

Licht admitted he is "pretty much" convinced Brady is serious about his "for good" retirement but made it known the 45-year-old still has a home with the organization. 

"I said I’d leave a desk lamp on," Licht explained, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "Before [Brady’s return] last year, I said I’d leave the light on. Maybe it’s a flashlight [this year]. I don’t know." 

Brady announced his first retirement from playing on Feb. 1, 2022, but it was soon rumored last winter that the seven-time Super Bowl champion was looking to leave the Buccaneers for a different team such as the Miami Dolphins or San Francisco 49ers. 

Licht said on March 1 the Buccaneers were "going to leave the light on" for Brady to possibly return to the organization, and then-Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians made it known the franchise would not relinquish Brady's rights. 

Brady ultimately announced his un-retirement on March 13. After spending yet another season as Tampa Bay's QB1, he retired for a second time on Feb. 1 of this year. 

"I think he’s gotten his mindset [about retirement]," Licht continued about the future Hall of Famer. "I think he’s happy with his decision and we’re happy for him." 

Licht seems content riding with 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask atop the depth chart. Meanwhile, the executive no longer has any say in what Brady does regarding his football future. 

Brady can become a free agent eligible to sign with any team when the new league year opens on March 15. 

Multiple insiders have teased that the 49ers will at least make some phone calls to see if Brady would consider playing later this year as 2022 rookie Brock Purdy is sidelined until further notice due to the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow he suffered during last month's NFC Championship Game. 

For what it's worth, neither Licht nor Brady has completely slammed the door shut on the signal-caller playing next season. Instead, Brady merely said he's taking a "gap year" before he becomes Fox's lead NFL analyst in 2024.