Buccaneers' Tom Brady vague about future in Instagram post

"I understand that at this stage in my career, there is going to be interest in my future whenever a season ends, but this week, all that is on my mind is the gratitude I have for this team and the fans that have supported us all year long," reads the caption. "This year has been incredibly rewarding personally and professionally and I am appreciative of everyone who worked their a-- off to help our team achieve so much.

"I always want to win, I think that’s pretty apparent by now, but that doesn’t mean I equate losing to failure, especially when you go out fighting the way we did. There’s so much to appreciate in a season like this when you’re surrounded by a team that believes in each other, and plays for the people standing on either side of them. I’ll spare you the Man in the Arena quote, but that feeling is something that I promise I’ll never take for granted. To everyone that was a part of it this year, thank you. I love you all!" 

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians told reporters Monday Brady can take "all the time he needs" to decide on whether or not he should continue playing past his 45th birthday that he'll celebrate in August. As Mike Florio noted for Pro Football Talk, however, Arians added the Buccaneers will "be doing our homework" regarding potential free-agent quarterbacks just in case Brady retires. 

Brady, 44, is under contract through next season but could look to work something out with his current employer if he wanted a different challenge for what could be his final campaign as an active player.