Tom Brady Has Considered Returning to the NFL — But the League Isn't On Board
Tom Brady says he has thought about returning to the NFL, but the league isn't a fan of the idea. In an interview released on Thursday, Brady told CNBC he has asked about the eligibility rules for a minority owner. He says the NFL wasn't too receptive and he'…
Tom Brady says he's weighed coming out of retirement, but the NFL doesn't like the idea
Tom Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, revealed this week that the thought of returning to the football field has crossed his mind more than once since his retirement. In an interview released on Thursday with CNBC, the seven-time Super Bowl champion admitted he has seriously considered lacing up his cleats again. However, Brady said the NFL has not exactly rolled out the red carpet for the idea, particularly given his current status as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brady told CNBC that he has inquired about the league's eligibility rules regarding whether a minority owner would be permitted to return to the field as an active player. The NFL approved Brady's ownership stake in the Raiders in October 2023, making him part of a small and exclusive group of former players who have transitioned into team ownership. According to Brady, when he raised the possibility of playing again, the league's response was far from encouraging, signaling that his dual role as both owner and player would present significant complications.
The league's reluctance likely stems from concerns about competitive integrity and potential conflicts of interest. An active player holding an ownership stake in a franchise would be unprecedented in modern professional sports and could raise questions about fairness, especially when it comes to salary cap implications, access to proprietary league information, and interactions with other teams. NFL rules have historically drawn a firm line between ownership and on-field participation, and the league appears unwilling to blur that boundary, even for one of the sport's most iconic figures.
Despite the NFL's resistance, Brady's comments have once again ignited speculation among fans and analysts about whether the 47-year-old could realistically compete at the highest level. Brady initially retired in February 2022, only to reverse his decision 40 days later and play one more season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring for good in February 2023. While a third act on the gridiron appears unlikely given the league's stance, Brady's willingness to entertain the idea serves as a reminder that his competitive fire has never fully been extinguished.