Report: Brady undecided on returning for 2022 season

Tom Brady plans to take some time after this season to assess his future before committing to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022 campaign, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington.

The star quarterback has been noncommittal about playing beyond this season, and some inside the Buccaneers organization are uncertain of Brady's future, Schefter adds.

The 44-year-old reportedly wants to assess how he feels physically and mentally while gauging his family's desires during the offseason.

The possibility of Brady retiring could increase if the Bucs repeat as Super Bowl champions this season, according to Schefter and Darlington, citing sources.

Brady has long made it known that playing until age 45 has been his ultimate goal. The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who turns 45 in August, is under contract for one more season with the Bucs after inking an extension last March. He said last February he'd also "definitely" consider playing beyond 45.

Brady has shown no signs of slowing down in his age-44 campaign. The reigning Super Bowl MVP led the NFL with 485 pass completions, 5,316 yards, and 43 touchdowns this season while tossing 12 interceptions.

The star signal-caller joined the Buccaneers as a free agent in 2020 on a two-year contract after spending his first 20 NFL campaigns with the New England Patriots. He led Tampa Bay to the Super Bowl title in his first year with the team.

Brady has started 33 regular-season games over the last two campaigns, posting a 24-9 record.