Next up for Tom Brady after early playoff exit? Who knows?

Teammates and opponents, coaches and NFL executives, even most fans recognize that Tom Bry has thing left to prove. re might be one dissenting voice: Bry himself.

Maybe that's why in midst of disappointment — and some discontent — with how Patriots' season ended and how he performed in second half of schedule, Bry came pretty close to guaranteeing he will be back for a 21st season. At 43.

Asked about retirement following wild-card loss to Texans, Bry said, ``I would say it’s pretty unlikely, but, yeah, hopefully unlikely.''

Later, to ar question about his plans, Bry ded:

``Again, I don’t want to get too much into future and stuff. I mean, this team has fought hard. We battled every day, we tried to get better, we worked hard to improve, and I was proud to be a part of this team. t only this year, but every year.

``Again, I just don’t kw what’s going to happen and I’m t going to predict it. one needs to make choices at this point. I love playing football, I love playing for this team. I’ve loved playing for this team for two deces and winning a lot of games. And again, I don’t kw what it looks like moving forward, so we’ll just take it day by day.''

Bry doesn't need football any longer from a success standpoint. t with a record six Super Bowl rings, four MVP hors in big game, and three league MVP awards. Five years after he has retired, he'll be feted in Canton, Ohio as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

He doesn't need money, eir.

What he seems to require, like so many star athletes, is competition that spices his existence. renaline explosions. challenges.

locker room rapport. practices. game planning.

Bry surely kws re are few, if any, replacements outside of game once he leaves sport for good. Unlike man he is most compared to among his contemporaries, Peyton Manning, Bry doesn't fit off-field celebrity role Manning has embraced so well.

So, barring physical ailments — and few football players ever have taken care of mselves way Bry has — ar year at helm of Patriots or ar team appears doable. Here's a peek into which uniform Bry could wind up in for 2020.

PATRIOTS

Obviously, remaining where he has spent last two deces t only as face of franchise but for several years face of league is most logical. Or is it?

Maybe Bry would like to try replicating his New England successes with ar coach. In part to show he can reach top in a different system and a different city. In part to display that Patriots' dynastic run was built on his brilliance more than anything.

Should he return to Foxborough, Bry can name his price. Does anyone see owner Robert Kraft balking? Especially after some of “hometown discounts” Bry allegedly took in past negotiations?

He also would be wise to insist on better personnel around him after drop-off in talent level at receiver and on offensive line this season.

CHARGERS

Bry is a California guy; sure, it's Cal, but he and his wife, super model Gisele Bundchen, would seem a perfect fit in SoCal.

Philip Rivers comes off one of his worst seasons and Chargers could be rey to move on from ir long-time QB. Plus, what better way to move into ir new home? y will be overshowed by Rams in SoFi Stium — except with Bry behind center.

BENGALS

Bry could play and tutor Joe Burrow. Nah, he's t likely to touch NFL's worst team.

BEARS

Bry at 53 might be more reliable than Mitchell Trubisky was this season. And, like New England, Chicago has a top-shelf defense.

COWBOYS

Maybe Dak Prescott isn't answer to America's Team's nearly quarter-century Super Bowl drought. We all kw how much Jerry Jones likes to create helines. What a doozy that would be in Big D.