As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the reality that their season is at most three weeks from its conclusion, there is another reality lingering over the organization: the possibility of Tom Brady's retirement.
Sources both with the Bucs and close to Brady all recognize the star quarterback remains non-committal to playing beyond this season. Although Brady could decide to play again -- he has talked about playing until he was 45, and even beyond -- it is currently far from a given, sources tell ESPN.
Brady's departure is a topic that quietly has come up within the Bucs organization for weeks now, and there has been internal wonder about what the future holds for the seven-time Super Bowl champion and all-time NFL passing leader.