Patriots
Brady’s possible unretirement is still viewed as a longshot, though.
The answer to the Patriots’ quarterback vacancy could be as simple as calling a familiar face.
After Tom Brady shared that he’s “not opposed” to coming out of retirement again, the Patriots hold the second-best odds to land him if he opts to do that, according to Covers.com. The Raiders are the favorite at +125, but the Patriots aren’t too far behind at +300.
Brady mentioned the Raiders, whom he’s trying to purchase a minority stake in the franchise, and the Patriots, where he spent the first 20 years of his career, as two possible destinations when asked if he could unretire on the “DeepCut with VicBlends” podcast.
“Let’s say one day there’s a situation,” VicBlends asked. “Maybe it’s the 49ers, maybe you know headed to the playoffs, offense is great.
“Patriots,” Brady interjected. “Could be Raiders, could be, you never know.”
Rumors and speculation of Brady returning to play have persisted since he announced his second retirement from the game in February 2023. After sitting out a full season, Brady shared that he still remains in game shape, but some other complications could get in the way of him returning to the gridiron.
“I’m not opposed to it. I don’t know if they’re going to let me if I become an owner of an NFL team. But I don’t know if — I don’t know,” Brady said. “I’m always going to be in good shape, always be able to throw the ball. So, to come in for a little bit, like [Michael Jordan] coming back; I don’t know if they would let me, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”
Even though Brady opened the door for a possible return, Covers.com views it as a longshot. It’s giving the quarterback +1000 odds that he’ll unretire. In addition to trying to purchase a minority stake in the Raiders, Brady is set to join Fox Sports as its lead analyst on its NFL broadcasts for the 2024 season.
If Brady decides he’d rather play than pursue those opportunities, a few other teams he’s been a part of or linked to in the past are also on the oddsboard to get him. The Buccaneers hold the third-best odds to land him at +500, but that could be difficult as Tampa Bay gave Baker Mayfield a rich extension earlier this offseason.
The 49ers hold the fourth-best odds to land Brady at +900. San Francisco actually reached out to Brady in the 2023 offseason after Brock Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow at the end of the 2022 season. Brady denied them though, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports’ Peter King in February.
The Dolphins have the fifth-best odds (+1200) to sign Brady if he unretires. Miami was actually penalized for tampering with Brady while he was under contract with New England and Tampa Bay. The Jets, meanwhile, have the sixth-best odds (+2000) to acquire Brady if he were to unretire. Any other team has +500 odds.
Brady will be making his return to Gillette Stadium soon, even though it won’t be in a jersey and pads. He’s being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame on June 12 as the team is holding a special ceremony for the occasion at Gillette Stadium that day.
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