Is Tom Brady Retiring? Fans React To Quarterback's Cryptic Social Media Post

Tom Brady has the internet in a stir over his latest social media post.

The longtime New Englands Patriots quarterback posted a black and white photo to his Twitter and Instagram profiles on Thursday night. The photo shows Brady in the opening to the football field but whether he is walking away from or towards the field is the real question surrounding the captionless photo.

Some fans of the 42-year-old footballer have speculated that the photo could signify his retirement. Others believed the moody post to be Brady's way of telling the world he's leaving the team that he's been with his entire NFL career for another--which isn't a far stretch of an idea considering the fact that he will be a free agent when the new season starts in March.

"I mean it either means he is leaving or retiring," one Twitter user wrote. "I'm hoping for the leaving part cuz I dont want him to retire."

There's also another perspective that Brady was simply paying tribute to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who passed away in a Helicopter accident on Sunday.

In any case, it's only a matter of time before Brady's future in football is revealed. If this season was his last, he leaves behind an impressive record including nine Super Bowl appearances with six of those resulting in wins.

The football world already saw another big name retire this year with Eli Manning hanging up the towel as quarterback for the New York Giants.

"It meant something to Eli to be the Giants' quarterback, and it meant even more to us. We are beyond grateful for his contributions to our organization and look forward to celebrating his induction into the Giants Ring of Honor in the near future," said Giants co-owner John Mara in a report.