It's been almost a week since Tom Brady retired "for good this time", but now some fans are once again starting to grow suspicious that he could return to the NFL again.
Brady released an emotional video last week stating that he had officially retired from the NFL, and made sure fans knew he was serious this time around. Brady initially retired last year, but quickly changed his decision to play one final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The former quarterback spoke to Colin Cowherd on Monday, and was asked if there was a chance of him returning one final time, despite retiring. Brady took a long time to answer the question, but never actually said no.
After fooling fans last year, there is some scepticism around whether this is a final goodbye for Brady. He's changed his mind once, what will stop him from doing the same again?
This was the topic that Cowherd put to Brady, as he asked if there was even a one percent chance he could return. "I think for me, I know in my heart how I feel. I put it out on the field for 23 years and I'm super proud of what's been accomplished," Brady responded.
"I just wanted to keep last week really short and sweet, and I feel like I've given a lot, gained a lot, learned a lot, and life is about exciting things ahead too. I think when one thing closes like football has for 32 years of my life, I look forward to what's ahead.
"There's new chapters, and there's new exciting things, and there's new growth and new opportunities so I'm really excited for what's ahead. I've loved my time in football, it's absolutely an incredible love in my life and it's hard to make decisions like that, but it's certainly the right time."
It certainly sounds like Brady is finally done, and ready to move on, but the fact he didn't say a definite no has got fans talking once again. Brady has moved on, as it was announced on Monday that he will join the FOX broadcasting team covering the NFL in 2024.
Brady wants some time off, and as a perfectionist, he wants to use the time wisely to become a better broadcaster. However, not starting until the 2024 NFL season means that he is still out of work during the 2023 campaign.
You can see in Brady's eyes that he's done, and perhaps his hesitance to say 'no' is due to the fact he may still retire with the New England Patriots. Brady's playing days are over, but Patriots owner Robert Kraft is desperate to have the iconic no.12 retire with the franchise.
Kraft said he'd facilitate a one-day contract "tomorrow" to get Brady to retire as a Patriot, something the 45-year-old hasn't responded to yet. There's still time, and Brady's got lots of it until 2024.
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