Brady to return in 2023?

Multiple sources close to the legendary quarterback say all options are on the table for Brady, who at age 45 feels good enough to keep playing and once again has the Buccaneers in playoff position entering today’s game against the 49ers.

Brady — who grew up a 49ers fan in San Mateo, Calif. on the San Francisco Peninsula — announced his retirement last February before reversing course 40 days later and returning for a third season with the Bucs after 20 years (and six Super Bowl wins) with the Patriots.

The plan heading into the 2022 season had been to walk away at age 45, as Brady always imagined. But those who know him well wonder if he’s more open now than he was in early September.

After a trying year that took a toll on him personally, including a highly publicized divorce from his wife of 13 years, Gisele Bundchen, Brady has seemed more like himself in recent weeks. He has been asking for more competitive 1-on-1 reps in practice. He’s feeling better physically after dealing with shoulder and finger injuries earlier in the season. And he channeled vintage magic last Monday night to rally Tampa Bay from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to beat the Saints.