Tom Brady revealed on Monday that, despite reports and the beliefs of insider sources, he is still undecided on whether to retire from the NFL, or pursue a 23rd season in the professional sport.
"I'm still going through the process that I said I was going through", Brady told his co-hosts in a 31 January broadcast of "Let's Go! With Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Jim Gray".
"Sometimes it takes some time to really evaluate how you feel, what you want to do", the iconic quarterback said. "And I think when the time's right, I'll be ready to make a decision one way or another — just like I said last week".
As for the conflicting reports, the famed NFL quarterback expressed that he understands how precious information can be, which can sometimes result in stories predating actual news.
"I'm responsible for what I say and do", Brady said with a chuckle. "I'm just trying to do the best I can every day, evaluate things as they come, and I'm trying to make a great decision for me and my family".
ESPN also reported that Brady was aware that the NFC divisional game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams would likely be his last.
While Brady does not have a timeline for retirement, he did make it clear that he knows he will at some point hang up his jersey.
"I'm going to stop playing. I understand that. When I know, I'll know. When I don't know, I don't know. I'm not going to race to some conclusion about that", he said, reiterating that he is taking the situation one day at a time.
Don Yee, Brady's agent, briefly spoke about Brady's rumoured retirement, telling ESPN and other members of the press that "Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy".
"He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon", Yee said.