It’s hard to believe we’re at this point.

It’s been just under 11 months since Tom Brady decided he couldn’t deal with Bill Belichick anymore and took his talents to Tampa Bay. What’s transpired in those 11 months – outside of the real would – is mind blowing.

When Brady sat down for his virtual media day session on Monday, the next hour or so felt like he was back in Gillette Stadium fielding questions from beat reporters. The only problem was there was a Bucs logo on the sweet, white pullovers that the players get at the beginning of Super Bowl week.

Every other question he was asked seemed to be about Bill Belichick or the Patriots. Brady (as he always does) took the high road and went out of his way to compliment the organization. Brady took photos on his phone of the odd set up as he sat alone in a room. It was a sign of the times as Brady clearly embraced his 10th Media Day. Gone were the days of sitting in front of throngs of media members, some in wedding dresses waiting to ask for his hand in marriage or some not even old enough to drive asking questions on behalf of Nickelodeon. It was quite different, but somehow still felt the same.

The bouquets Brady threw towards the Patriots came after ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio asked him if he had a message for Bill.

“I have a great relationship with him,” Brady said. “I’m incredibly grateful for what he’s meant in my life as a coach, he was everything you could ask for as a player. I loved my time there and had two incredible decades there and my football journey took me to a different place, but I certainly couldn’t have accomplished the things I did in my career without his support and teachings. He was an incredible mentor for me.”

Both Umenyiora and NFL Network’s Nate Burleson fawned over Brady before getting to their questions, but Burleson did get a great response when he asked Brady how hard it would be to walk away from the game if the Bucs can pull off the upset on Sunday.

“I think it’s going to be hard to walk away whenever I decide to walk away just because it’s been a huge part of my life for a long time,” he said. “I love thinking about it. I think football to me is much more than just a sport. There’s a physical element, there’s the mental approach, how are you going to get the job done? There’s an emotional part, and all with all those things I’ve found ways to evolve at different times so I could maximize my potential.

“It’s never about what I do, it’s about what we do. Part of the enjoyment of the success is being able to enjoy that success with everybody because everybody plays a critical role. I chose team sports for a reason because I loved having teammates and sharing those experiences. So much of the enjoyment comes from me helping others too, and that’s probably why I’m still doing it.”

Umenyiora followed telling Brady he was “coming clean” that he – like many others around the NFL – always thought Brady might be a product of Bill Belichick and not as successful on his own. Then, Umenyiora brought up the success he had as a Giant against Brady under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and asked Brady about any similarities he might see.

“That 2007 game is my lest favorite football memory, so thanks for bringing it up,” he said. “That’s probably because I had a lot of you on top of me with grass stains my back. You, Stray (Michael Strahan) and (Justin) Tuck, you guys were an incredible opponent that day and deserved to win that day.

“I think Spags runs a great defense and really caters to the strengths of his players. I think the schemes have evolved the times I’ve played against him, I think he’s a tremendous coach and everyone seems to love to play with him. I know he’s going to have those guys ready to go…it’s going to be a great challenge, we’re looking forward to it”

Perhaps the most intriguing question of the day was what Brady might use as deciding factors regarding retirement and how much longer he may want to continue playing.

“I think I’ll know when it’s time,” he said. “I don’t know when that will come but I think I’ll know and understand I gave everything I could to this game. You put a lot into it, I could never go at this half-assed. When I feel like I can’t commit to the team that’s when I’ll walk away.”

But, is playing past 45 now in play?

“I would definitely consider that,” he added slyly.

While it remains to be seen whether or not Brady stuns us all and walks off into the sunset with a seventh ring or if he plays for another five years, one thing is certain, the legend will continue to grow no matter what the outcome is at about 10:30 Sunday night.

Brady has never focused on his legacy, it’s always been about the process. Now, that process may lead to a legacy that reads “greatest athlete and winner in North American professional sports” if he can lead the Bucs to a victory as the first ever home team to play in a Super Bowl.

“Well, Michael’s one of my sports idols, so I think he’s pretty incredible,” Brady said when asked if he’s considered the fact he could pass Michael Jordan for championships. “For me, it’s just about being a part of a lot of great teams. To have the opportunity to play in this game means a lot to me. It’s a lot of commitment, it takes sacrifice by a lot of guys.”

“As a freshman in high school I didn’t know how to put pads in my pants. I was just hoping to play high school football because I just wanted to be like Joe Montana and Steve Young. Then, when I got a chance in college, I just wanted to play at Michigan. When I got drafted by the Patriots, I just wanted to start. It’s just been a series of steps like that. I’ve tried to get better every year, learn a little bit every year…my life’s taken a lot of different directions and I’ve got a lot of incredible blessings in my life.”