Tom Brady says he is "unlikely" to have played for the Patriots for the final time, after the New Englanders were sensationally knocked out of the NFL Playoffs last night by the Tennessee Titans.
The defending champions went down 20-13 in the A-F-C wildcard game in Foxborough.
Forty-two-year-old Brady, speaking afterward, said he hopes to return next term for a 21st NFL campaign.
"I would say it's pretty unlikely. ... Hopefully unlikely.
"Who knows what the future holds? We'll leave it at that."
As his side trailed 14-13, Brady's last action was an intercepted throw which led to the Titans extending their advantage with a Logan Ryan touchdown to clinch the game.
It was a first home playoff defeat since 2012 for the Patriots, and Brady said he loved playing with the Massachusetts-based side.
#Titans vs. #RavensFlock#WeAreTexans vs. #ChiefsKingdom
The AFC Divisional Round matchups are set! #NFLPlayoffs #WeReady pic.twitter.com/jh4ySDxBDo— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2020
"I love the Patriots. They have the greatest organization. Playing for Mr. Kraft all these years and coach Belichick, there's nobody who has had a better career than me, just being with them.
"I'm very blessed. I don't know what the future looks like, so I'm not going to predict it."
Brady has won a record six Super Bowls, including three of the last five, and is widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time. He has only lined out for the Patriots in his record-breaking NFL career.
Titans back Derrick Henry ran for 182 yards and a touchdown in a stellar display for the visiting Titans, as they prepare to next face an in-form Baltimore Ravens.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 5, 2020
Elsewhere last night, there was a dramatic 22-19 overtime win for the Houston Texans over the visiting Buffalo Bills.
The Texans had trailed 16-0 at NRG Stadium, but their QB Deshaun Watson led them to the victory in overtime after an astounding comeback.
The Bills QB, Josh Allen, had an altogether different ending to his day - inexplicably losing the ball with an audacious lateral pass attempt to a teammate.
The Texans, AFC South champions, now move on to face the No. 2 seed Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round next Sunday.
