Buccaneers' Tom Brady, reporters tiptoe around Gisele Bündchen, retirement rumors

At this point, it is downright silly to pretend that stories saying Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen are experiencing marital issues don't exist.

Outlets such as Pro Football Talk and CNN, among others, have touched upon the reports, the latest of which claims the two are "living separately" related to problems over his call to return to the Buccaneers for at least one more season. 

Brady did more than enough last Sunday night to guide Tampa Bay to a comfortable 19-3 win at the Dallas Cowboys but also wasn't his Most-Valuable-Player self from a campaign ago. In total, the 45-year-old completed 18-of-27 passes for 212 yards with a touchdown and an interception. 

As Brady and the 1-0 Buccaneers prepare to play at the 1-0 New Orleans Saints this Sunday, the seven-time Super Bowl champion stood in front of reporters who clearly didn't want to mention words such as "Bündchen," "ultimatum," or "strife." Per PFT's Mike Florio, Brady was instead asked "whether the media’s interest in his private life goes with the territory" considering his celebratory status. 

"I think it’s just part of our life," Brady responded. "We’re in front of the cameras all day, so it’s a natural thing I’ve been dealing with for a long time." 

During Monday's edition of his "Let's Go!" SiriusXM show and podcast with broadcaster Jim Gray, Brady admitted to hurting coming off the Cowboys game and openly suggested he's wondering "how much longer do I want to make this commitment" at this stage of his life. Reporters asked Brady if the victory in Dallas confirmed he made the right call about playing another season. 

"I’ve always loved playing, so . . . football, it’s a great sport," he answered. "I’ve been in it for a long time. I enjoy being out there. Yeah, it’s a great sport." 

One report from this week directly said that Brady "knows he needs to retire after this year 'if he wants to stay married.'" Some fans may not like it, but it is fair to wonder if what's happening behind the scenes will impact Brady the football player, beginning with Sunday's showdown at Caesars Superdome.