Shirtless Patriots Legend Tom Brady 'Teases' NFL Comeback?

New England Patriots legend Tom Brady is playfully hinting at another NFL return.

With NFL preseason games fully underway, Tom Brady is still preparing as if he's going to go out and play a series or two ... the operative term being "as if."

The retired New England Patriots legend facetiously spun his own rumor mill on Saturday, posting an Instagram story that also served as an advertisement for TB12 brand's line of protein. Brady showcases his apparent effort to stay in shape during his athletic golden years with a shirtless, slightly grizzled pose and a caption poking fun at those who expect him to return for a 25th NFL season.

"Side effects of (TB12) protein," Brady calls his body. "Mid-August rolls around and you start thinking about finding a training camp to show up to."

Anyone looking to vindicate their doubt in Brady's latest retirement is immediately silenced by a pair of laughing emojis that prove the 46-year-old and arguable GOAT is just joking.

Both of Brady's former employers are trending in interesting directions as they attempt to replace him: New England is well-assured that Mac Jones is going to serve as their Week 1 starter but undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham has become one of the most-renowned new folk heroes of the ongoing preseason proceedings. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, set to enter year one of their post-Brady era, are staging a battle between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. 

Both Brady-less sides will be in action on Saturday night: the Patriots head to the Midwest to battle the Green Bay Packers (8 p.m. ET, WBZ) while the Buccaneers face the Patriots' divisional rival, the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, WFLA). 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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