Tom Brady recently told Alex Sherman that he had considered returning to the NFL. The legendary quarterback wanted to play again while keeping his new job as a team owner. This move would have made him the first player and owner in modern league history.
The NFL did not like that idea very much. Current league rules from 2023 state that active players cannot own any part of a team. This rule stops people from having too much power or creating unfair advantages. Brady currently owns a 5% stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tom Brady told @sherman4949 that he explored the possibility of coming out of retirement and returning to the NFL, adding that the league did not “like that idea very much.”
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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2026
To play again, Brady would have to sell his 5% share. The league also said that a player who owns a team creates many salary-cap problems. Owners officially approved his purchase of the Raiders in October 2024. This makes a return to the field almost impossible now.
Brady is now 48 years old and says he is very happily retired. He joked about a recent flag football game where his team lost. Brady said he loved not getting hit during the game. This experience helped him decide to stay out of the professional field for good.
NFL, Tom Brady
Tom Brady appears at American Dream for the grand opening of Card Vault by Tom Brady, a sports card and memorabilia retailer, East Rutherford, Friday, Apr. 11, 2025.
The former star has many jobs now. He is the lead color commentator for Fox Sports. He also helps lead the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. His role with the Raiders includes serving as a strategic advisor to the front office.
The league has strict rules for Brady as a broadcaster too. He cannot attend practice or visit team facilities like other reporters. He also cannot criticize referees or other teams on television. These rules protect the integrity of the game because of his ownership stake. Brady seems content with his new life in the booth and the front office.
Fans were furious and rallied behind Tom Brady
The NFL’s decision to block Tom Brady’s comeback sparked intense reactions across social media.
One fan said, “NFL is a joke organization now.”
A second fan said, “The NFL told Tom Brady no. Let that sink in. The greatest to ever do it got rejected by the league he built.”
A third fan said, “Tom Brady at 48 still had the NFL scared enough to shut down his comeback? He could still cook half these starters with one good month of preparation…”
A fourth fan said, “They don’t like the idea because he’d expose how terrible the QB play is in today’s game.”
A fifth fan said, “NFL acting like Karen refusing Brady’s comeback.”
Whether fans agree or disagree, Brady’s blocked return remains one of the most talked-about NFL stories this year.