Tom Brady Considered Returning To NFL, But NFL Shot Idea Down

Tom Brady revealed he considered returning to the NFL in an interview with CNBC. 

Brady has not played in the league since 2022. Despite this, his recent performance in a flag football league sparked rumors of his possible return to the NFL.

Brady revealed he has talked with NFL executives about a possible return. However, he said the NFL opposed the idea. Brady is currently a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL executives told CNBC that an owner playing for a team could raise salary cap issues.

Although coming back from an extended retirement is difficult, it’s not impossible. Philip Rivers returned to the Indianapolis Colts after being retired for four seasons. Rivers threw four touchdowns and three interceptions in three games.

If Brady returned in 2026, it would be a shorter gap of time than Rivers. He’d likely want to play for his Raiders.

Last year, the Raiders had Geno Smith at quarterback. Smith led the league in interceptions. It makes sense that Brady thought he might be able to do better. 

However, the QB position will be changing for the Raiders this season. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They are projected to draft Fernando Mendoza. 

If Brady were to be a player-owner, he’d be following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan. Jordan owned the Washington Wizards while playing for them in 2001-02 and 2002-03. Jordan paid himself $1 million a year while he was a player. However, he donated his 2001-02 salary to Sept. 11 relief efforts.

As of now, Brady will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2028 class. Brady is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, but his head coach, Bill Belichick, didn’t get in on his first year on the ballot, with cheating scandals being cited as the reason for the snub by voters.