Tom Brady's retirement saga was back in the spotlight after EA Sports mocked the NFL legend in the Madden 27 reveal trailer ahead of the game's launch next month
04:11 ET, 05 Jun 2026
Tom Brady smiles as he attends a press conference
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Tom Brady received a playful jab in the new Madden NFL 27 trailer(Image: Getty Images)
EA Sports has taken a playful jab at Tom Brady in the reveal trailer for Madden 27, referencing his well-documented retirement saga.
EA Sports released the trailers for both Madden NFL 27 and College Football 27, showcasing a wide range of star power and entertainment cameos. The four-plus-minute Madden NFL 27 trailer features Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams as well as actor and Chicago native Vince Vaughn managing the Bears in Franchise Mode.
Alongside him, the trailer includes notable sports media appearances from Brady of Fox Sports, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes, and The Ringer Fantasy Football Show trio—Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck.
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Vaughn was shown interacting with a team decision-maker over a backup quarterback situation, stating he was "not some indecisive GM without a plan who's just going to pull a 48-year-old quarterback out of retirement".
Seconds later he receives a video call from Brady asking about the position. Vaughn pretends to engage in conversation with the seven-time Super Bowl winner saying: "You're my guy and you're in." Vaughn then hangs up on Brady mid-conversation before stating that Brady didn't have a change at the position.
Brady's potential retirement u-turn has been a hot topic of conversation in recent months. Last year was said to have been targeting a comeback at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics which will feature Flag Football for the first time.
Earlier this year, Brady revealed he considered a potential return to the NFL, but the idea ultimately never materialized after encountering resistance from the league. The 48-year-old said the NFL was not receptive to the possibility of his comeback, effectively discouraging the move.
Brady, who is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, was later asked in a CNBC interview whether he had examined the rules surrounding a part-owner returning to active play. "I actually have inquired, and they [the NFL] don't like that idea very much, so I'm going to leave it at that," Brady said. "We explored a lot of different things, and I'm very happily retired. Let me say that, too."
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It would not be the first time Brady has reversed a retirement decision. The three-time NFL MVP initially stepped away during the 2022 offseason following two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, only to return 40 days later and play another year before retiring “for good” in February 2023.
Brady has since drawn attention for his recent appearance in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where he lined up alongside players including Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, and Ashton Jeanty.
He also reunited on the field with longtime teammate and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, rekindling a partnership that defined much of his NFL success.