Tyler Johnson went down with a rib harm and Jaelon Darden suffered a concussion. Tight stop Cam Brate became lining up in the slot by using game’s stop Sunday, and at one point, Brady had a backup right guard filling in at proper address, because his backup right tackle suffered an ankle injury, on pinnacle of a quad harm.

“it’s the reality of soccer,” said Brady, who lost within the divisional round for simply the fourth time in his profession. “each crew is surely qualified whilst you get to the very last 8, then the very last four, then the final and it would not feel precise to lose anybody of those games, and i have lost each of these tiers. So on the end, there may be only one group that is going to be happy. It feels proper to transport on while you flow on, and obviously whilst you don’t, whether or not it turned into ultimate week or this week or subsequent week, the week after, two weeks after that — if you are a loser in that recreation, all of it sucks to lose in the long run.”

coach Bruce Arians stated there’s no timetable for when a discussion with Brady approximately his future will take vicinity.

“it is definitely up to Tom,” Arians stated.

The Bucs don’t have a viable successor to Brady on their present day roster.

Teammates, many of whom faced questions on Brady’s destiny this beyond week, recounted the reality of the situation.

“I recognise Tom’s a competitor. He always say he is were given something to prove, however what greater can he do?” inside linebacker Lavonte David said. “he’s the GOAT. he’s executed everything he can. If he comes returned, glaringly we’ll welcome him with open hands. but we will need to permit him determine that for himself.”

huge receiver Mike Evans stated he might not make any type of pitch to Brady.

“I do not have to say nothing to him,” Evans stated. “he’s self-influenced. He knows what he wishes. with any luck we get him lower back subsequent 12 months. The pleasant player ever, one of the great teammates and one of the satisfactory leaders i’ve ever visible.

“i’ve stated the ultimate years: i’m top notch appreciative that he got here to Tampa Bay. no one had no clue he become even leaving New England. just very privileged to play with him.”

The Bucs have 24 gamers scheduled to end up unrestricted unfastened dealers, inclusive of getting older veterans who, like Brady, have selections to make — out of doors linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, running lower back Leonard Fournette, tight stop Rob Gronkowski and Jensen, to name some.

Re-signing all 22 starters like they did ultimate 12 months may not be possible.

“it’s so difficult. plenty of those men are at the closing yr in their contracts,” David said. “i used to be the closing one to walk in [the locker room]. Seeing the look in absolutely everyone’s eyes, it turned into like, ‘that is a hard one.’ You hate to exit in any such manner. on the stop of the day, the locker room isn’t going to be the equal subsequent year.

“You build relationships with men and to look them exit the way we did — a few human beings are going to have to flow directly to sure places. it’s going to be tough due to the fact this is the maximum tight locker room i have ever been around with the finest chemistry with guys on and off the sphere. wonderful management with the young guys and the old men just jelling collectively. … it’s like a real family-like environment. happily you do construct bonds with the ones men to wish them properly of their future endeavors, however all of us understand it’s gonna be specific subsequent year.”

Pierre-Paul, who simply became 33, will go through surgical treatment to restore a torn rotator cuff he has played with all season. asked if he desires to continue gambling, he stated, “I do not know. we will see after my surgery.”

Fournette, the fourth overall draft choose in 2017 who found a career resurgence with the Bucs after getting launched via the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2020 season, introduced: “i’m pleased with this group — i’m proud of these guys and i am glad to name myself a Buccaneer.”

a number of gamers stayed within the locker room lengthy after Sunday’s sport changed into over.

“you have to cherish the relationships which you have with this group,” Fournette stated. “They do not come around too often like that. one of the nice agencies of fellows and training staffs i’ve been round. We went out, the manner we failed to want to go out, but on the cease of the day, i am just blessed to be a part of this business enterprise, to have men like Tom Brady, Gronk, Mike [Evans], Scotty [Miller], [Ryan] Jensen … guys like that … it is difficult, it is difficult.”