Scrutiny surrounds Tom Brady’s NFL future

Scrutiny is intensifying over the future of NFL and Tampa Bay Buccaneers superstar Tom Brady after his team’s 30-27 play-off loss to Los Angeles Rams all but ended their season.

According to ESPN, the 44-year-old Brady – widely regarded as the greatest NFL player of all time – is ‘noncommittal’ about the prospect of playing for a further year. 

The publication claims he is going to take at least a month to weigh up his options. He’ll consider how he feels physically and mentally as well as the wishes of his family.

Tom Brady is considering his NFL future after Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to Los Angeles Rams

The 44-year-old Brady (No 12) is widely considered the greatest NFL player of all time

He was quizzed on what the defeat means for his future but kept his cards close to his chest, saying: ‘I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. We’ll just take it day by day and see where we’re at.

‘I was just thinking about winning. That’s just kind of my mentality to go out there and try to win.’

As it stands, the seven-time NFL champion has a year remaining on his current contract, which is worth $25.4 million.

ESPN add that the Buccaneers are eager for Brady to continue playing another season and that they would ‘bend over backward’ to persuade him if they felt they needed to. 

ESPN also claim that throughout the present season Brady has felt compelled to play for one more year because the Buccaneers do not appear to have a succession plan in place in his quarterback position. 

Brady’s coach, Bruce Arians, was coy over what the defeat meant for Brady’s future. 

‘That’s up to Tom,’ he said, when quizzed in the immediate aftermath of the defeat to the Rams, before confirming that he himself will be staying in his role.

But Brady has been ever-present for the Buccaneers this season, playing in all 17 games, and led the NFL in passing yards with a career high 5,316 and threw 43 touchdown passes. 

At present, Brady is said to be non-committal about the prospect of playing for another year 

Brady’s coach, Bruce Arians (right), was coy over the long-term future of his star man 

Despite his team’s performance ending in defeat on Sunday, quarterback Brady still showed why he is one of the dominant names in the sport.

He rallied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back from a 27-3 deficit, only to see the defense surrender a big play in the final minute to set up Gay’s winning 30-yard field goal. 

Brady will turn 45 on August 3, a little over a month before the 2022 NFL season will begin on September 8.