Tom Brady
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Tom Brady will be in the FOX broadcast booth next Sunday for a Week 3 matchup between the Bears and Cowboys. He will then look to help Las Vegas gear up for a Week 4 showdown against Chicago days later.
NFL viewers believe there is a major conflict of interest. Are the Raiders gaining an unfair advantage?
Discussion on the topic began in 2024. Here’s why:
Brady accepted a commentating role with FOX, which gives him exclusive access to teams, players, and coaches around the league. There is always the possibility of his using any intel gained to benefit the organization in which he is a minority owner.
It led to swift action from the NFL. The “Brady Rules” were put into place last year.
Brady will not be permitted in another team’s facility
He cannot witness team practices
He cannot attend broadcast production meetings, either in person or virtually
He cannot publicly criticize game officials
He cannot publicly criticize other teams
Brady will be subject to the NFL’s gambling policy
He will also be subject to the NFL’s anti-tampering policy
They remain in 2025, though the league was a bit more lenient on restrictions. The biggest change is that he can now attend FOX production meetings but must meet with players and coaches of that week’s game either off-site or virtually.
Tom Brady was in the coaching booth for MNF.
The Raiders played the Chargers in Monday Night Football action during Week 2. Brady was dialed in. The broadcast noted the former quarterback’s presence in the coaching booth, adding that he talks with Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly “2-3 times a week” to game plan.
This is such a ridiculous conflict of interest.
Brady was just calling the Commanders game last week. Got tons of behind the scenes access. But he can just be in the coaching booth when they play in WSH next week?
How is this allowed? It’s nuts. pic.twitter.com/WTHp3X6H0E
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 16, 2025
Speculation on inside knowledge was immediately sparked. Social media users quickly pointed out the potential conflict.
“Tom Brady meets with Chip Kelly 2-3 times a week to go over film and go through the game plan,” wrote James Palmer of The Athletic. “And every weekend Brady is calling a game for Fox, gathering as much information as possible from players and coaches from both teams to be at his best in the broadcast booth. Got it.”
Ruthie Polinsky of Chicago Sports Network echoed those sentiments. “So, arguably the most competitive man in the history of football will be on the Cowboys-Bears call in Week 3. He’ll be in production meetings with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams,” she said.
“Who do the Bears play in Week 4? The Raiders.”
Do the Raiders have an unfair advantage?
That remains somewhat unclear. The answer at this point is, probably not.
The league and FOX have taken steps to negate Tom Brady’s ability to use intel to Las Vegas’s benefit, though as mentioned, the restrictions were dialed back in 2025.
Brady isn’t seeing anything the Raiders’ coaching staff can’t in terms of on-field play through film study.
He is not allowed at opposing team practices or facilities. He is only getting as much inside information as coaches and players are willing to give in his role with FOX.
Sure, the optics are bad, especially given his upcoming coverage of the Raiders’ Week 4 foe. Still, seem to be steps put in place to prohibit shady behavior.
Las Vegas could’ve used a little inside information against the Chargers as they fell to their AFC West rival, 20-9.