Tom Brady ‘not opposed’ to late-season return to NFL

Tom Brady isn't ruling back another comeback.

Brady, 46, said on a podcast appearance Thursday that he would consider joining an NFL team midseason if a starting quarterback goes down with injury, as Joe Flacco did with the Cleveland Browns last year.

Without prompting, Brady mentioned two teams by name — the New England Patriots, his old team, and the Las Vegas Raiders, whom he is aiming to become a minority owner. He pointed out an NBA analog, as Michael Jordan became a part owner of the Washington Wizards before coming out of retirement to play for Washington for two seasons.

"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said on the "Deep Cut" podcast. "I don't know if they are going to let me if I become an owner of an NFL team. I'm always going to be in good shape. I'll always be able to throw the ball. So, to come in for a little bit, like (Jordan) coming back, I don't know if they would let me. But I wouldn't be opposed to it."

Brady, who is also scheduled to begin working as a Fox Sports broadcaster this fall, reached an agreement in May 2023 to join the Raiders' ownership group. The NFL has yet to complete its approval process.

Brady, who announced his retirement in February 2023, is regarded as the best quarterback of all time after winning six Super Bowls with the Patriots and a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while breaking virtually every NFL passing record.

He also retired on Feb. 1, 2022, but changed course just 40 days later, coming back for a third season with the Buccaneers.

—Field Level Media