Tom Brady Explores NFL Return, But Finds Resistance
The legendary quarterback Tom Brady revealed that he seriously considered the possibility of returning to the NFL, although the league did not enthusiastically welcome this idea. Brady, who retired in 2022 and is currently a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, shared his thoughts in a recent interview. In the interview, Brady emphasized that he is “very happily retired”, but admitted to having consulted the league about the rules governing the ownership of active players.According to NFL rules, Brady, who will turn 49 in August, would have to sell his stake in the Raiders if he decided to play again. A league spokesperson also mentioned possible “salary cap issues” if an active player owned a team. The idea of a Brady comeback wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented in the NFL. Philip Rivers, 44, temporarily came out of retirement last season to play three games as quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts after more than four years without playing. Brady acquired a 5% stake in the Raiders in 2024, along with Knighthead Capital Management co-founder Tom Wagner (5%), and Raiders Hall of Famer Richard Seymour (0.5%). The former New England Patriots quarterback commented that he has a “strategic advisory role” with the Raiders. “I’m a minority owner,” he said. “When you’re that, there’s really no job description. I don’t really have a day-to-day role.” The topic of a possible return to the NFL arose in part due to Brady’s performance in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Although his team was defeated by Team USA, Brady demonstrated his passing skills at the event. “I loved being there playing in the flag football game,” Brady said. “I loved not getting hit. I have a lot of really fun things I’m involved in. I’ll never get tired of throwing passes to incredible athletes on the football field. But if anything, that game reconfirmed to me that I’m very happy in my retirement.”“I really asked, and they don’t really like that idea. So I’ll leave it at that. We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me say that too.”
Tom Brady
