We're now potentially just a few weeks of Tom Brady's 2022 season coming to a close - one which could be his last ever playing the sport in what has been the most prestigious career in NFL history.
Heading into 2023, Brady is reportedly considering all options and is unsure if he will return for his 24th season after what has been a pretty brutal year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he decided to come back.
The legendary quarterback was set to retire after his announcing his decision to do so in February earlier this year, but decided to u-turn on that decision after just 40 days and returned to the Buccaneers for another go at winning his eighth Super Bowl.
But this season in western Florida has been pretty much of a disaster. For the first time in his career, Brady is two wins below .500, as they go into the final three games of the regular season with a 6-8 record. Remarkably though, this may be good enough to secure a spot in the post-season, with the NFC South hugely struggling, as the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints all with a 5-9 record.
Coming into the season, many had the Buccaneers to be Super Bowl favourites, after adding a number of key players including Shaq Mason, Akiem Hicks, Julio Jones and Russell Gage to an already highly competitive roster.
But the team has struggled in all facets of the game, and could have a losing record for the first time in his career and missing the playoffs for just the second. Brady himself has struggled in recent weeks, but it's fair to say he's shown more than enough signs this season to show that he's still capable of playing at an elite level - if put in the right system.
That being said, the 45-year-old has a huge decision to make this off-season on what he'll do in 2023. Here at Mirror Sport, we've taken a look at the five most likely options for him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Many will argue that this is the most likely scenario if he does choose not to retire, but don't be so sure of that.
While the Buccaneers have a talented roster at almost every position, it's going to be tough for them to improve their team next season. They currently project to be over the salary cap, and will have to make a number of moves, including cutting key players if they're going to be able to acquire any talented free agents, or even to facilitate trades.
The Buccaneers will be improved at offensive line with the return of starting center Ryan Jensen, and it can be argued that they will have one of the better lines in the NFL.
But it's going to be tough for them to bring back star linebacker Lavonte David, who will greatly impact them on the defensive side. While Brady is seemingly happy living in Tampa Bay, it might not be the best decision for him to return from a footballing point of view.
San Francisco 49ers
It's tough to argue against the Niners being the best landing spot for Brady.
Boasting the best offensive line in the NFL, along with the best offensive scheme for his abilities and an explosive running game - partnering Brady with head coach Kyle Shanahan could be devastating.
Shanahan's offensive system is predicated on the quarterback getting the ball out of his hands quickly and effectively - very rarely asking them to make plays out of structure.
If Brady is able to sit back and throw to the Niners many offensive weapons, he could legitimately play for a few more seasons.
Partner that with the Niners having the best defence in the NFL, and the fact that Brady grew up in the Bay Area, with his family still living in San Francisco, it's one that cannot be ruled out.
Las Vegas Raiders
A team that were very close to acquiring Brady when he eventually chose to join the Buccaneers in 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders may enter the sweepstakes for the legendary quarterback after another frustrating season from Derek Carr.
Brady would be reunited with his long-term offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is now head coach with the Raiders, and would be put in a very comfortable system that in which he knows he'll be able to thrive and be comfortable from day one.
Add to the fact that the Raiders have one of the best receivers in the league in Davante Adams, along with slot options in Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller, it might not be too crazy to consider Brady playing in the silver and black next season.
New England Patriots
A return to the Patriots seems the most unlikely one, but it could be the perfect fairy-tale ending to his spectacular career.
A reunion with Bill Belichick could be good for both parties before they ride off into the sunset, with both having poor seasons in 2023 and looking like they're in need of one another.
Brady would almost certainly be welcomed back in Massachusetts with open arms, despite leaving in 2020, especially with current starter Mac Jones struggling to improve on his impressive rookie season.
Returning to the area he settled in for over 20 years might be the perfect thing for him after a rollercoaster 2022.
FOX Sports (retirement)
Maybe the one which the majority expect from Brady, is that he does indeed hang up his cleats and walks away from the sport after 23 years - whilst walking into a pretty good gig with FOX Sports. This past off-season, Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million deal to be a colour commentator, as soon as he retires from the sport, and is likely to be with the number one team alongside Kevin Bukhardt and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen.
It is unclear how well Brady will do as a commentator, with a few legendary quarterbacks attempting and struggling in the position over the last few years. But it appears that he's confident going into the role.
On his Let’s Go! podcast earlier this year, Brady revealed his admiration for NBA legend Charles Barkley’s honesty and suggested he could be ‘scathing’ in the booth.
He said: "When you play with Randy Moss, when you play with Wes Welker, when you play with [Rob] Gronkowski and [Julian] Edelman and Mike Evans, you see greatness. And there’s a standard for perfection that I want to see the game played at. Because I value the sport, I value the coordination of this incredible chess match that’s happening, the play within every play.
"And I just feel like there’s probably more Johnny Miller in me, where when I used to watch him on golf telecasts, it was just scathing sometimes. ‘What, that guy choked under pressure?’ or whatever. That’s essentially how I end up seeing the game a lot now.
"Not that I want to be negative, but I do want to point out - and [Bill] Belichick taught this to me a lot - it’s hard to win a game in the NFL, there’s more games lost in the NFL than they’re won. If you don’t screw it up, you’ve got a great chance to win. Because most people do just mess it up."
