The debate over the NFL-Brady’s retirement tops after the Buccaneers lost

(Reuters) – Tom Brady ‘will do, right?’ The retirement debate peaked on Sunday for NFL fans as to whether the future Hall of Fame quarterback would play his last game after the Tampa Bay lost 30-27 to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Division playoffs.

Even in the days leading up to the Tampa meeting, everyone seemed to be trying to read tea leaves about Brady’s future.

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians told The Tampa Bay Times that he would be “surprised” if Brady didn’t return for next season, while ESPN reported that the NFL’s all-time leader told sources close to him that he had no commitment to play.

The 44-year-old has said he wants to play for at least 45-year-olds and has not made any suggestions that he does not intend to meet the final year of his current deal, which will cost him $ 25.4 million.

Based on his performance this season, Brady seems to have little reason not to return.

He played 17 games and was the NFL leader with 5,316 career-high passes and 43 touchdown passes.

Asked about his future, Brady told reporters, “I haven’t thought much about it. We’ll take it day by day and see where we are.”

Brady added that he was feeling very well physically and removed a question from him as to whether he thought the game would be the last.

“I was just thinking about winning. That’s my kind of mentality to go out there and try to win, to give my team the best chance of winning,” Brady said.

Brady’s tough competition, which has helped him win seven Super Bowl rings, including one with Tampa last year, was a full display as he prepared for a second-half fight against the Rams on Sunday.

After a 27-3 lead in the third quarter, the Buccaneers had 42 seconds left to equalize as Leonard Fournette ran a nine-meter touchdown run.

But that was still enough for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to deepen the ball into Tampa territory, where shooter Matt Gay sealed the victory with a 30-yard field goal.

The Rams went to the conference title game next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.