Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia spoke out about his contract in his strongest terms yet today, suggesting that he could retire if he and the team can’t negotiate a deal that he thinks is fair.

“If it doesn’t work itself out, if a contract is not presented as far as a renewal to finish my career, then I will seriously think about what my alternate options may be,” Garcia said today on Sirius Satellite Radio, as reported on NFL Network by Adam Schefter.  ”And it may come to not playing football anymore.”

Garcia, who has one year left on his contract at a base salary of $2 million, said he has been “taken advantage of” by the team.

“I feel like when you mistreat people there comes a time when it doesn’t matter how much you are paid, it’s going to lead to some drastic decisions,” Garcia said.

Although Garcia is the clear No. 1 on the Buccaneers’ crowded quarterback depth chart, he suggested today that he might not be on the depth chart at all by the time the season starts.

“It would be really difficult to go through this season and not have something done before the season,” Garcia said.  “I would like to see the appreciation put out there.”