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

Tom Brady uncertain about future after Bucs' playoff exit

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 1/24/22

It has honestly felt, for so long now, like Tom Brady really was going to play professional football forever.

But, after he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were booted from the playoffs on Sunday with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the 44-year-old quarterback doesn't appear so sure about his future in football.

"I haven't put a lot of thought into it, so you know, we will just take it day by day and kind of see where we are at," Brady said, via ESPN.

To be fair, the aging QB might have still had that failed comeback and subsequent 30-27 loss to the Rams at the forefront of his mind and hadn't yet transitioned to thinking about an early offseason yet.

"Truthfully guys, I'm thinking about this game," Brady admitted. "I'm not thinking about anything past five minutes from now."

He's going to have to start thinking further ahead than that pretty quickly, though.

Do you think Tom Brady has played his last game? pic.twitter.com/eyJwxs5AGi
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 24, 2022

Brady has one year left on his current contract with Tampa Bay, which many may think would set Brady up for a farewell tour for the ages. And, as some have pointed out on social media, he certainly didn't leave the field Sunday like a man about to hang up his cleats.

No tip of the cap, no wave 'bye' to the fans, no one-last-look-back at the field...

No way this was Tom Brady's final game #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/Z8pfGn4OD8
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) January 24, 2022

Nevertheless, Brady's future isn't so clean-cut. In addition to finding out what is best for him both physically and mentally, he also has a family to keep in mind as he considers whether he will play football for another year.

Brady is also not the only Buccaneers player with a contract expiring soon. The Bucs have 24 players edging toward free agency and are unlikely to halt discussions with other players so Brady can drag his feet before deciding whether he's playing or not.

It will be an interesting NFL offseason for sure as everyone waits to see what the future holds for Brady.

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