Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady caused quite a stir in the football world with recent comments he made on the “DeepCuts” podcast.
I know I’m in the minority, but I’ve never be one to enjoy long, deep conversations with my barber. Get in, get out is more my style.
Brady however doesn’t subscribe to this approach. He gave a long – albeit entertaining – interview while “VicBlends” cut his hair … Interesting concept.
The biggest takeaway from the podcast was that Brady admittingly is open to returning to the NFL under the right circumstance.
“I’m not opposed to it,” Brady said of making yet another comeback.
“I’m always gonna be in good shape, (I’ll) always be able to throw the ball … So, to come in for a little bit, like M.J. coming back? I don’t know if they’d let me, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”
While some people brushed Brady’s comments off and chalked them up to him just joking around and/or looking for attention, others think he is very serious about the possibility of returning.
You can count ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio as someone who’s not willing to shut the door on Brady’s playing career just yet.
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Florio pointed out that there are no coincidences when it comes to the GOAT.
“I think there are no accidents when it comes to Tom Brady,” he said. “And for him to come out and say, after declaring last year he’s done and he’s never coming back … [that he] wouldn’t be opposed to coming back and playing, are you kidding me? That was huge.”
Florio elaborated on his stance, suggesting that Brady’s statement about a possible return was a calculated move to gauge interest from NFL teams without fully putting himself out there.
“I don’t think it’s something that just flew out of his mouth, I think he’s ready to come back,” Florio added. “And I think that was his trial balloon to see if anyone will call him. Plenty of teams looking for quarterbacks … I think Brady wants to come back. He wants to be pursued.”
Brady is arguably the most beloved figure in Boston sports history.
I say “arguably” out of respect for all of the legends that have played in that city (Larry!!). But in actuality, Brady would be the near-unanimous choice if you asked fans throughout New England.
So, it goes without saying that Brady’s comments got the internet and talk radio blazing with speculation that the Golden Boy could soon be returning home.
But how does new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo feel about all of this???
Mayo knows Brady better than most, having played eight seasons with him in Foxborough. While he made his admiration for his former teammate clear, he also said he won’t be holding his breath for a Brady return to the playing field.
“I love Tom. The door is always open if he wants to come in here and coach. But as far as going on the field, I don’t know,” Mayo said on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.”
Of course, the Patriots selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third-overall pick in last week’s draft.
The ultra-talented Maye may very well end up being the best quarterback to come from this entire draft class. But either way, he’s going to need a little time to adjust to the NFL game.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett was brought back to New England in the offseason and is expected to enter the season as the starter. (Although those plans can certainly change.)
Also on the roster is the polarizing Bailey Zappe along with Nathan Rourke and sixth-round pick Joe Milton III who may have to end up changing positions to survive in the league.
In other words, the Patriots will enter the 2024 season without a true “win-now” quarterback on the roster.
Despite being out of football for a year, Brady would not only instantly be the Patriots best quarterback, but he would also figure to (still) be a top-10 QB in the league.
“If [Brady] comes in here, going back to the ‘best player will play,’ you have to come here and compete. He loves competition. But I doubt he’s going to be walking through these doors any time soon,” Mayo added.
When speculating on a Brady return, the elephant in the room is the cold, hard fact that the Patriots are one of the worst teams in the entire league.
Now, you could look at it as the ultimate challenge. After all, there is literally no better fairy-tale ending than Brady returning to New England and leading the Patriots to one final Super Bowl title.
Just returning to the Patriots is storybook in its own right. But Brady also wants to win. That’s always been his one and only priority. And unfortunately, the Pats just aren’t built to win right now.
But hey, if anyone can do it, it’s Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (Yes, that’s his full name.)
Whether you choose to believe him or not, Brady claims he is at peace with his decision despite the rumors and speculation.
“My career and all that, that’s a thing of the past in my mind. I was a gladiator out there, and now my time has moved on. Now it’s, ‘OK, how can I deliver for my next group of teammates?'” Brady added on the podcast.
The “next group of teammates” he’s referring to are the fine folks at FOX Sports, where Brady is set to begin his massive 10-year, $375 million broadcasting deal.
(Although, there are some who think Brady will never end up seeing the inside of a broadcast booth.)
What are your thoughts on Mayo’s comments?
Despite tip-toeing the subject, do you think deep down he would love to have Brady under center?
At the end of the day, will we see Brady on a football field (in uniform) ever again?
Do you agree that he would instantly be a top-10 quarterback if he were to return this year???