We watched him run off the field, and tip his hat to the crowd in Tampa, Fla.

We watched him hug his mother and father, and head in to the locker room.

Later we watched him dance around the questions about his future plans, but speak about the Buccanners organization and thank the media there as if he wouldn’t be back.

Yes, it would be a shock if Tom Brady returned to Tampa and the Bucs for the 2023 season.

But, as he becomes a free agent for the second time in his career, he shouldn’t try to find another franchise to play for.

Tom Brady should retire. And stay that way this time.

You had to watch his games this year carefully to see if there was any slide. Remember, Brady said he’d retire “when I suck.” He wasn’t that bad, but he’s not the Brady we knew here during his dominant New England Patriots days.

The fact is, Brady should have gone out on top two years ago. That was the time, the same way John Elway did. What does a seven-time Super Bowl champion have to prove?

The Bucs were not a proven winner. They put pieces around him to win, and convinced themselves that bringing it all back would win another one. And maybe another. Instead, they fell flat on their face over two years. Brady’s reputation took a hit with the shady Miami deal, and his brief retirement and decision to ultimately return when the Glazers said either he’d play for them or nobody.

Funny how that all went.

Granted, Brady’s divorce and personal situation most likely impacted his play in some shape, way or form. But he took the time off, pre-arranged, from training camp for what was likely family reasons. We miss the drama-free Brady who would work like crazy in the offseason at Gillette to get that premier parking space.

But coming back just doesn’t make sense. He probably doesn’t want the greatest football career of all time to end with the feeble playoff loss he and the Bucs suffered at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

Who would? But that’s the chance he took by coming back. The Bucs are a mess, a playoff team only because the other teams in their division were worse. Todd Bowles is simply not a head coach. In New York we feel he was dealt a bad hand with lousy players but in Tampa he looked like his final years with the Jets but with better players. A good defensive coordinator.

Brady will likely be tempted to return. One has to figure Las Vegas, with Josh McDaniels desperate to win next season in order to keep his job, would be a perfect landing spot. And he’d have the quality receiver he really hasn’t had since Randy Moss in the Raiders’ Devante Adams.

We were surprised when he took the FOX analyst offer, but of course it’s a boatload of money. But Brady has never seemed the direct, analytical type. He probably won’t renege on the deal but FOX should stick with Greg Olsen.

Either way, here we go again. Brady will have to inform the Bucs at some point so they can make their own plans. Meanwhile the rumor mill will be working overtime until he does.

Unfortunately, it’s become the Brady Way.

Time, though, to drive down Retirement Way, this time without turning around.

Tom King may be reached @Telegraph_TomK, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com