Tom Brady: Leaving the Door Open for a Potential NFL Return
In a surprising turn of events, the legendary quarterback Tom Brady seems to be leaving a door open for a potential return to the NFL. Despite announcing his retirement back in 2022 after being eliminated in the playoffs, Brady has hinted at the possibility of coming out of retirement during a recent appearance on the DeepCut podcast by creator VicBlends.
During the podcast, Brady expressed his openness to returning to the field if a team is in need of a quarterback. He stated, “I’m not opposed to it. I don’t know if they’re going to let me by becoming an owner of an NFL team. I’m always going to be in good shape, always be able to throw the ball. So to come in for a little bit like [Michael Jordan] coming back? I don’t know if they’d let me, but I’m not opposed to it.”
Brady has a history of changing his mind about retirement, as seen in 2021 when he returned after his initial retirement. This pattern has raised doubts among fans and analysts about the seriousness of his decision to hang up his cleats. When discussing potential teams for a comeback, Brady mentioned the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders as possibilities.
However, Brady’s path to a return may face obstacles due to an NFL rule prohibiting equity ownership in franchises for players and other employees. According to a report by Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal, the league has yet to approve Brady’s agreement to buy a minority share in the Las Vegas Raiders, despite reaching a deal with team owner Mark Davis in May 2023.
Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasized the need for a thorough process, including approval from other team owners, before Brady can officially join the ownership group. The NFL did not vote on Brady’s candidacy during the March annual meetings, with the next opportunity for approval scheduled for May.
In his final season, Brady showcased his prowess by leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC South crown, with impressive passing statistics that solidified his legacy as a seven-time Super Bowl champion. Additionally, Brady is set to embark on a new venture as a broadcast analyst for FOX Sports, taking on the role of the No. 1 analyst previously held by Greg Olsen, starting in September.
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