The Tom Brady Era will open for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13 against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football. Brady rocked the professional football landscape this offseason after departing from the New England Patriots after the past 20 seasons to embark on a new journey with the Buccaneers.

The showdown between the division rivals has even more layers, as Brady usurped Jameis Winston as the starter in Tampa Bay. Winston led the NFL in passing yards (5,109) last season, but also threw the most interceptions (30), leading to the organization moving in another direction. His pivot? To sign a deal with the Saints in hopes of backing up Drew Brees, in what could be the living legend’s final season.

Another noteworthy name being tossed into the rivalry is tight end Rob Gronkowski, who ended his retirement to re-join Brady in his Florida run. After the Patriots dealt Gronkowski to the Bucs shortly before the 2020 NFL Draft, we now have an exact date for the league’s plan of when they will unveil arguably its most hotly-anticipated duo.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Falcons, Michael Penix Jr., Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. Falcons, NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr. with Falcons stadium in the background

Scotty White ·

A Minnesota Vikings fan and new quarterback JJ McCarthy

Sonny Giuliano ·

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers next to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Nabers has a speech bubble that says “It’s on!”

Ben Strauss ·

Since the creation of the NFC South, the Saints and Bucs have not simultaneously made the playoffs. New Orleans enters the year with the current stranglehold, eyeing its fourth straight division crown, but Tom Brady enters the year having made the postseason in 11 consecutive campaigns.

New Orleans and Tampa Bay will meet again during the 2020 season, although the exact date has not yet been disclosed, with the NFL schedule set to be officially released Thursday evening.