Tom Brady is reportedly considering all of his options heading into the 2023 season - including the major decision of whether he'll play football again.
The legendary quarterback was set to retire after last season, but decided to u-turn on that decision after just 40 days and returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd season.
Since doing so, Brady has had a rough go of it this campaign - with his Buccaneers struggling with a 6-7 record. While they remain atop of their division and heading for a playoff spot, it would be a huge shock to see them progress in the post-season.
But although his team have struggled, it's not unfair to say that Brady is still playing at a high level, and it would be impossible to write him off from coming back in 2023 and playing to the sumptuous levels fans have grown used to seeing.
Whether he decides to play football again after this season remains to be seen, with him being able to walk into a commentary gig with FOX Sports, after he signed a 10-year $375 million deal, as soon as he retires from the sport.
Should he resume his playing career, though, he will likely have a number of options - with the Buccaneers obviously wanting him to rejoin the team, as well as the San Francisco 49ers being heavily linked to being interested next season.
A reunion with the New England Patriots also cannot be ruled out. Mirror Sport takes a look at three reasons why a return to Massachusetts could be the perfect landing spot.
Reunion
Since leaving the Patriots in 2020, it does appear that the Brady and Belichick may not have had the best relationship in the latter days of their 20-year partnership.
When joining the Buccaneers, Brady highlighted his want to play for an 'offensive-minded head coach' - with Belichick being a defensive coach throughout his career.
Belichick is famously very tough on his players, creating a culture which has lead multiple years of success, but he has been criticised for not being as enjoyable. Former Patriots pass rusher Cassius Marsh claimed that the players don't have fun in New England, something that a few players backed up.
When leaving the Patriots, Brady wanted to join a team where he would be given free reign of the offense, and was granted the opportunity to have say on signings - with his former teammates and friends Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown joining that same season.
An opportunity to rejoin Belichick would allow the two to quash whatever beef they have, and ride into the sunset together in retiring at the same time, with Coach Belichick admitting that he does not have too many years left in the league. Brady also remains close friends with owner Robert Kraft.
Adoration
Along with David 'Big Papi' Ortiz, Tom Brady is the most beloved sportsman in Massachusetts since Larry Bird.
For as long as the Boston Celtics dominated in the NBA, as well as the Boston Red Sox' continued success, Brady was the man who changed the Patriots from pretty much a laughing stock to an NFL juggernaut.
Throughout the Patriots were pretty much a joke when it came to Boston sports, comfortably being the fourth team behind the Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins. But after six Super Bowl's, they are now seen as one of the great franchises in the sport.
And although he left them high and dry in 2020, there's no doubt that Brady would be welcomed back with open arms for one last go around in 2023 - fans would love to see him back in Patriot blue.
Environment
Brady still owns a house in Massachusetts with his children still going to school at the place he raised his family.
Returning to the area that he settled in for 20 years could be ideal to him after a rollercoaster year he's had on and off the field in 2022.
As well as off the field familiarity, it's fair to say that winning a Super Bowl back in New England would firmly put him atop of the greatest Boston sportsmen of all-time, on a pedestal alongside Celtics legend Bill Russell.
The Patriots would have work to do to compete in 2023, but the allure of playing with Brady usually sees players take less money to do so - in what could be a legendary final season for the greatest to ever do it.
