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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady will announce retirement decision 'when the time is right'

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/31/22

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady may have played his last game as an active NFL player, but it seems rumors and rumblings of his forthcoming retirement were greatly exaggerated at this stage of the process.

As advertised, Brady addressed reports from both Friday and Saturday that said he would soon announce he's retiring during the first segment of Monday's edition of the "Let's Go!" podcast with broadcaster Jim Gray, and the 44-year-old insisted he hasn't yet made a final call regardless of what anybody else might have to say about the subject:

Tom Brady on his "Let's Go" podcast said he's still evaluating his options. "I’m still going through the process I said I was going through…think when the time is right, I’ll be ready to make a decision one way or the other.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 1, 2022

Tom Brady on "Let's Go!" on @MadDogRadio: "I'm still going through the process. ... When the time is right, I'll be ready to make a decision."

On reports of his retirement: "I'm responsible for what I say or do and not for what others say or do."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 1, 2022

Brady said "I know there's a lot of interest...when I know, I'll know...
"For me, it’s literally day to day. I’m trying to evaluate everything I do...I'll take it day by day and take it by the moments...''
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 1, 2022

Brady said of the playoffs: "The focus should be on those great games. I was trying to enjoy a nice weekend. It didn't turn out that way."

Pressed by Jim Gray on a timeline, he continues to say when he's ready to make a decision. https://t.co/VEiuW4DEP0
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 1, 2022

Tom Brady on reports of his retirement: "People want to be in front of the news often, and I totally understand that ... Literally it's day to day with me." pic.twitter.com/mg4zgQJpN7
— The Recount (@therecount) February 1, 2022

As some joked over the weekend, Gray asked if Brady could be motivated to push retirement aside and return for the 2022 season because he's upset about the recent rumors that didn't come directly from him. Brady answered that he would only have his eyes on the prize if he continues playing:

Tom Brady: "My motivation for playing football is to win and be successful."
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 1, 2022

Tom Brady on his Let's Go podcast: "I'm still going through the process I said I was going through. I think when the time is right, I'll be able to make a decision one way or the other."
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 1, 2022

It was last Monday when Brady said on "Let's Go!" he wanted to spend some time this winter with Gisele, his wife, and his children before confirming his intentions, and his latest comments suggest those conversations may be ongoing or that he simply isn't ready to let the world know what he's thinking.

Previous reports about Brady's supposed retirement cited "sources close to" the seven-time champion signal-caller, but Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, head coach Bruce Arians, and Brady's father were among those who quickly denied the claim Saturday afternoon.

For now, it almost feels as if the story about Brady's actual future has taken a back seat to the tale of whatever happened in the world of NFL reporting between early Friday evening and Saturday night.

Tom Brady on "Let's Go!" on @MadDogRadio: “We're in such an era of information and people want to be in front of the news often. I totally understand that. I understand that's the environment we're in. I think for me, it's just literally day to day with me.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2022