Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arians: Tom Brady can take 'all the time he needs' to decide future

Those close to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady are not yet pouring cold water over rumors and rumblings that the living legend could ride off into retirement following Sunday's gutwrenching 30-27 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Brady himself said shortly after the defeat he plans to "take it day by day and kind of see where we are at" regarding his future, which suggests the 44-year-old is at the very least open to calling time on his career this winter with one year remaining on his contract. 

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians spoke with media members on Monday and made it clear he won't be pressuring Brady to let the club know about his intentions anytime soon. 

Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, Arians said Brady should take "all the time he needs" as it pertains to his decision about playing in a remarkable 23rd NFL season. 

There's little doubt the seven-time champion still has the goods to win at the highest level and in the biggest games, as he led the league in multiple categories for the regular season and canceled a 27-3 deficit on Sunday before the Rams broke Buccaneers hearts via a walk-off field goal. 

Brady has long said he's wanted to play past his 45th birthday, which he'll celebrate in August, but there are now undeniable signs that he may be reconsidering that stance ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl. 

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