'Never Say Never': Tom Brady Teases Possible Comeback

TAMPA, FL — About a week after formally announcing his retirement from the NFL via social media, Tom Brady hinted at a possible comeback during a podcast interview Monday.

On his "Let's Go!" podcast that he hosts with former NFL player Larry Fitzgerald and sportscaster Jim Gray, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback told his co-hosts that the door to his football career may not entirely be shut.

"I'm just gonna take things as they come," Brady said on the show. "I think that's the best way to put it and I don't think anything, you know, you never say never. At the same time I know that I'm very, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now."

While he hinted that a return to the league isn't out of the question, Brady stressed he was happy with his decision to retire after 22 seasons in the NFL.

"I try to make the best possible decision I can in the moment, which I did this last week. And, again, I think it's not looking to reverse course, I'm definitely not looking to do that," he said during the podcast, the NFL.com reported. "But in the same time I think you have to be realistic that you never know what challenges there are gonna be in life. Again, I loved playing. I'm looking forward to doing things other than playing. That's as honest as I can be."

Brady stepped down from the game after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title last season and NFC South championship this season.

The 44-year-old Brady has long stated his desire to spend more time with his wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and three children despite his unique ability to perform exceptionally well at an age when most athletes are way past their prime.

Following his retirement announcement, Brady thanked the Buccaneers organization, his teammates, ownership, general manager Jason Licht, coach Bruce Arians, his trainer Alex Guerrero, agents Don Yee and Steve Dubin and his family in his nine-page post. He didn’t mention the New England Patriots, where he spent his first 20 seasons and won six Super Bowls playing for Bill Belichick. But Brady thanked the Patriots and their fans on Twitter, saying: “I’m beyond grateful. Love you all.”

Brady said he's still figuring out how he'll spend his time, but he plans to be involved in his TB12 health and wellness company, Brady clothing line and NFT company.

“I know for sure I want to spend a lot of time giving to others and trying to enrich other people’s lives, just as so many have done for me,” he said.

Brady led the NFL in yards passing (5,316), touchdowns (43), completions (485) and attempts (719) in 2021, but the Buccaneers lost at home to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

He also won three NFL MVP awards, was a first-team All-Pro three times and was selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times. He was 243-73 in his career in the regular season and 35-12 in the playoffs.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.