New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre revealed that he will undergo an MRI exam on his right shoulder after his team was eliminated from post-season contention on Sunday.
Favre, 39, indicated the results of the MRI, which took place on Monday, could determine whether he returns for a second season with the Jets.
The 18-year veteran has been feeling discomfort in the shoulder for a number of weeks.
He also insisted he did not want to make a hasty decision about returning next year.
"The obvious choice would be a quick decision based on what happened," Favre said.
"It's a hasty, irrational decision based on what's happened. I'll go home and get away for a week or so - we haven't really talked about it - and make the right decision."
The Jets (9-7) lost four of their final five games to miss out on the play-offs after improving to 8-3 following consecutive wins at New England and Tennessee.
Favre threw three interceptions in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, who won the AFC East, and finished the season with an NFL-high 22 picks.
In his last five games, Favre threw just two touchdowns and was picked off nine times.
"It would be easy to sit here and make excuses," he added.
"I'm sure that during the course of the year that there were some throws that I know I could make, but I didn't.
"Other times, I made some good throws. I hope that [the shoulder] was not a factor in my throws this year."