Buccaneers Won't Pressure Or Rush Tom Brady Into Decision On Future

Word is, Tom Brady is thinking of hanging up his cleats and calling it a career.

That's the word partially because Brady himself indicated it was true following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, as relayed by OutKick's Armando Salguero.

"I haven't put a lot of thought into it, so you know, we will just take it day by day and kind of see where we are at," Brady told reporters.

It's the "day by day" part of that sentence that has everyone wondering about Brady's future.

But coach Bruce Arians and other members of the Buccaneers have indicated they have no intention of trying to force or rush Brady into a decision.

Arians, for one, said Brady can take "all the time he needs" to decide on playing again.

In all, the Buccaneers have 22 players entering unrestricted free agency. So a shakeup to the roster, beyond just Brady, could be on the way.

But Brady, who turns 45 in August, is certainly the most notable.

"I don't have to say nothing to him," receiver Mike Evans said of Brady's looming decision. "He's self-motivated. He knows what he wants. Hopefully, we get him back next year. The best player ever, one of the best teammates and one of the best leaders I've ever seen.

"I've said the last two years: I'm super appreciative that he came to Tampa Bay. Nobody had no clue he was even leaving New England. Just very privileged to play with him."

As an aside, Arians did admit Tampa Bay will keep its eyes peeled for potential Brady replacements, should it come to that.