Legendary quarterback Tom Brady is set to retire from the NFL after 22 seasons in the sport, according to reports.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion missed out on a place in this year's showpiece event after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.
Brady was forced to bat off questions about his future consistently during the Buccaneers' playoff bid, but according to ESPN, the 44-year-old is now hanging up his helmet.
The report adds that Brady is looking ahead to the next chapter in his life and wants to prioritise his health and family, although the Buccaneers were hopeful of keeping the quarterback on for one more season.
However, the powers-that-be at Tampa Bay are understood to have been primed for Brady's imminent retirement, with the former New England Patriots stalwart retiring after a glittering 22 years in the game.
Brady retires with seven Super Bowl rings to his name, as well as being a five-time Super Bowl MVP and being named the NFL's Most Valuable player on three occasions, most recently in 2017.
Since starting his college career with Michigan, Brady has set numerous records in the NFL, including touchdown passes (624), career quarterback wins (243) and passing yards (84,520).
