Report: Tom Brady's Teammates Say QB Hasn't Indicated in Offseason He's Retiring

New England Patriots star Tom Brady hasn't shown any indication he plans on retiring prior to the 2018 NFL season, two of his teammates told NBC Sports Boston's Michael Giardi.

ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Brady hadn't definitively committed to playing another season, which left some wondering whether retirement was on the table.

"I believe he's going to be there," a source said to Schefter. "However, having said that, we're dealing with a human being. Things can change. But I do believe he will be playing."

Any indecision on Brady's part would come at a bad time for the Patriots, who are still waiting to hear from tight end Rob Gronkowski about whether he's returning for 2018.

Schefter reported Sunday that Gronkowski wouldn't be present for the start of New England's offseason program this week, though he has maintained "good communication" with the Patriots. According to the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian, some of those conversations have focused on Gronkowski's contract.

Brady turns 41 in August. According to Pro Football Reference, only seven quarterbacks in NFL history have continued playing through age 41. Of that group, only two (Warren Moon in 1997 and Vinny Testaverde in 2004) eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in a season.

While history may not be on Brady's side, his retirement would be a big surprise this offseason. He's coming off a 2017 campaign in which the Patriots reached the Super Bowl and he threw for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns.

If anything, the speculation about Brady's future heightens the need for the Patriots to get a succession plan in place. New England tried to make Jimmy Garoppolo the heir apparent, but the timing didn't work out. Had the team not traded Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers last year, he would be entering a fifth season as Brady's backup.

The Patriots have four picks in the first two rounds of the 2018 draft (Nos. 23, 31, 43 and 63), so this could be the time to again target a young quarterback who can replace Brady down the line.