Tom Brady's future is still unclear heading into the final few games of the NFL season - in what could be the last few weeks that we ever see the greatest to ever do it on the field.
The legendary quarterback is set to become a free agent this summer after returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd season following his brief retirement. After the 2021 season, Brady released a statement announcing his intentions to retire from the sport, but reversed that decision just 40 days later and returned to the team.
But after a disastrous season with the Buccaneers, Brady looks like he may well finish with a losing record for the first time in his career. Tampa Bay are two wins behind .500, despite looking likely to secure a playoff spot with the rest of the NFC South struggling along with them.
Should Brady continue to want to return for his 24th season, he'll likely have a number of teams to pick from who he could join, with his contract up with Tampa Bay.
Whilst the 45-year-old has struggled in recent weeks, he has shown that he's certainly capable of playing at a high level - especially if given a better supporting cast and offensive line to protect him.
One of his close friends and former team-mates though, believes he should retire from the sport, stating that he has nothing left to prove to anyone after winning seven Super Bowls. However, he believes he will return for another season.
Rob Ninkovich said: "You have to evaluate each and every season you are playing, they are all different and make you feel differently at the end of the season.
"After this season, Brady might be thinking 'I'm ready. I'm ready to move on to the next phase of my life'.
"When you look at Tampa Bay, you can't put it all on Tom, but there have been some moments where you think 'this does not look good', and the team has underperformed at every level - coaching and playing.
"What they are right now is a bad football team that is leading their division."
He added: "I would like to see Tom walk away, but I don't see it happening. He is chasing something that he has already done enough."
Should he return, a number of teams will show interest in Brady, with analysts predicting that over 10 teams will be looking for a new quarterback this off-season.
Despite the draft being strong at quarterback, a championship contending team would certainly prefer to sign Brady over an unproven youngster, but the NFL icon will be particular on who he'd sign for.
He has been linked with a number of teams should he remain in the league, with the San Francisco 49ers being a favourable landing spot for him with their elite offensive line and weapons to throw to, as well as a sensational return to the New England Patriots.
The Pats have had struggles at quarterback since Brady left in 2019, with some believing Brady and head coach Bill Belichick could retire together after one finals season in 2023.
