People close to Tom Brady reportedly believe he'll 'likely' play in 2023

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady hasn't yet revealed his plans for the 2023 NFL season, but that hasn't stopped those who know him from talking. 

For a piece published on Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that "Brady hasn’t decided whether to continue his career, although many close to him believe it’s likely." For what it's worth, Stroud recently chatted with retired Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen, who is known to be close with the seven-time Super Bowl champion. 

Brady can hit free agency when the new league year opens in March. 

The Buccaneers reportedly want Brady to return for another season, and the 45-year-old may think he can "be part of the solution" to help a Tampa Bay team that earned a postseason berth with an 8-9 record thanks largely to playing in the woeful NFC South. 

"A prevailing theory is that Brady would like to be given a chance to fix what went wrong in 2022," Stroud wrote. "Others believe he has played his last game in Tampa Bay." 

Stroud also indicated that Brady could sign with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason even though the future Hall of Famer has one son living in New York and two children living in Florida. The 49ers are scheduled to play road games at the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars which would create "opportunities for in-season visits" between Brady and the kids. 

Brady also has family on the West Coast. 

"He was born and raised in San Mateo, where his parents still live and wouldn’t have to travel to home games," Stroud noted about Brady possibly joining the Niners. "At least one of his three sisters still lives in California. Brady has been a 49ers fan since he was 4, and the family would spend fall Sundays at Candlestick Park." 

Current San Francisco quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Trey Lance are recovering from significant injuries and are unproven commodities compared to Brady. Purdy is essentially sidelined until further notice with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and Lance hasn't yet shown he can guide the 49ers to an NFC Championship Game or even to a handful of wins.  

League insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network hinted earlier this month Brady likely would want his football future settled early in free agency, at the latest, so his employer can make other necessary roster moves. Each day Brady doesn't tell the Buccaneers he's coming back seemingly suggests he's ready to move on to the third football home of his pro career.