Tom Brady posted a farewell message to the Patriots, and things just got real

Tom Brady’s career as a member of the New England Patriots is over. The quarterback announced on his football journey will continue “elsewhere.”

Tom Brady will not continue his career with the New England Patriots.

In a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, the six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback announced his football journey would “take place elsewhere”.

Brady thanked Patriots coach Bill Belichick, owner Robert Kraft and the entire organization for “the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture based on great values”.

In a separate post dedicated to the New England fans, Brady added: “I don’t know what the future holds but it is time for me to open a new stage of my life and career.”

Where that new stage will take place remains to be seen. The Las Vegas Raiders would appear to be out of the Brady sweepstakes having signed Marcus Mariota on Monday. Talk of a spectacular move back to the Bay Area to sign with the San Francisco 49ers has predictably petered out.

However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reported to have made an aggressive pitch to acquire his services. The Indianapolis Colts remain a solid fit, particularly after trading away a first-round pick they could have used on a quarterback to acquire defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

The Los Angeles Chargers are also still a potential suitor, with landing Brady being an easy route to getting people in the seats at the new stadium they will share with the Rams.

As for the Patriots, they are now left to look over a free agent quarterback market were the pickings are slim. Neither Philip Rivers nor Andy Dalton can be considered an upgrade over Brady, while working with the turnover-prone Jameis Winston would present a considerable challenge for Bill Belichick.

Jarrett Stidham provided little in his few snaps as a rookie to suggest he can take the reins. With just the 23rd pick in the draft at his disposal, finding the heir apparent for Brady is the biggest challenge of Belichick’s career, but it is one he should relish.