Tom Brady on coming out of retirement: 'Never say never'

Tom Brady announced his retirement last week after 22 seasons in the NFL, and said Monday that he feels at peace with the decision. But guaranteeing he'll never play again? That's a step too far.

"I'm just gonna take things as they come," Brady said on his weekly Let's Go! podcast appearance. "I think that's the best way to put it and I don't think anything, you know, you never say never. At the same time I know that I'm very, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now."

Brady, 44, led the NFL in passing yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43) during the 2021 regular season and set the single-season record for completions. The Buccaneers finished 13-4 and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs, but were eliminated with a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Hours before the Buccaneers were eliminated, ESPN reported that Brady was "noncommittal" about returning, despite Bruce Arians saying he'd be "shocked" if the quarterback didn't return for the 2022 season.

In his lengthy retirement statement, Brady said he couldn't make the "competitive commitment" to be all-in for another year.