Tom Brady has inquired about returning to the NFL but faces a prohibition under league ownership rules tied to his minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The seven-time Super Bowl champion recently played in a flag football event, where he threw a touchdown pass, but reaffirmed his satisfaction with retirement. NFL policy, updated in July 2023, prevents owners from suiting up for their teams.
Tom Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, captained the Founders squad in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic last weekend. His team lost both games, including a 43-16 defeat to Team USA. Entering in relief of Jalen Hurts, Brady connected with Stefon Diggs on a fourth-down touchdown pass, showcasing his enduring skills at age 48. Speaking to CNBC afterward, Brady said, 'I loved being out there playing in the flag game. I loved not getting hit. I've got a lot of really fun things I'm involved in. It's never going to get old 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.' Despite this, Brady revealed he has explored a comeback. 'I actually have inquired,' he said. 'They don't like that idea very much. I'm gonna leave it at that. We explored a lot of different things. I'm very happily retired. Let me just say that, too.' The barrier stems from an NFL rule change in July 2023, which prohibits those with ownership equity, like Brady's stake in the Raiders, from playing for their team. Prior standards already barred owners from competing with other franchises to avoid conflicts of interest, such as salary cap issues or divided loyalties. To pursue playing, Brady would need to divest his Raiders shares and pause his Fox broadcasting role, then secure interest from a team. While quarterbacks like 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers prepare for 2026 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 41-year-old Joe Flacco signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, Brady's competitive drive might demand a championship contender, a tall order after years away.
