Tom Brady 'Not Opposed' to NFL Return: Should New England Patriots Alter Draft Plans?

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn't ruling out a return - both to the NFL and his former team.

Tom Brady acknowledges his fans during a halftime celebration and the announcement of his induction into the New England Patriots' Hall of Fame. / Kris Craig / USA TODAY NETWORK

When Tom Brady announced his retirement in the spring of 2023, he did so with two crucial words: for good.

But now, Brady, who won six Super Bowl's with the New England Patriots and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, may be having second thoughts.

The 46-year-old Brady, appearing on the "Deep Cut" podcast Thursday, didn't close the door on a potential return for a late-season push ... if the NFL allows him as he closes in on becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said. "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 MJ [Michael Jordan] coming back, I don't know if they would let me.

"But I wouldn't be opposed to it."

Should he be? Perhaps more importantly, would any teams consider?

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots former quarterback Tom Brady / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The latter question may be easier to answer: yes - the San Francisco 49ers expressed interest in Brady last offseason amidst uncertainty surrounding quarterback Brock Purdy's throwing elbow.

Further, Brady's last season under center hardly looked like a player incapable of suiting up anymore. Across 17 games with the Bucs in 2022, he led the NFL in both pass attempts (733) and completions (490) - for the second straight year. He also threw 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions.

Physical fitness isn't a concern for Brady, who turns 47 on Aug. 3, but he'd be pushing boundaries not reached at his position since Chicago Bears signal caller George Blanda hung up the cleats at age 48 in 1976.

But who's giving Brady the chance to play? The 49ers were mentioned in a hypothetical on the podcast, while Brady brought up the Raiders and Patriots before discussing whether the NFL would actually let him suit up.

Should Brady return to New England, he'd do so with few familiarities. Bill Belichick, his head coach for 20 years, parted ways with the organization after going 4-13 this past season. He was replaced by Jerod Mayo, a former teammate of Brady's who first joined the coaching staff during the final year of Brady's time in New England.

The Patriots are expected to add a new franchise signal caller with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, ideally adding a player capable of holding the title for a similarly dominating two decades as Brady and Belichick shared.

Be it on the coaching staff or roster, Brady would face a steep acclimation process. There's also the point that hesaid he wouldn't be opposed to playing for a team specifically in a late-season push.

With where New England's organization seems to be, such an outcome doesn't appear probable this year - and is it worth bringing in a blast to the past when your supposed future is already on the roster?

That's for the Patriots to decide - and for Brady to formally make himself available should the opportunity arise.