Retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady created quite a public stir while making a recent appearance on The Deep Cut podcast. Brady was questioned on whether he'd consider a return during the 2024 campaign if the right situation arose. Brady did not shut the door.
"I'm not opposed," Brady said. "I don't know if they'd let me [play] if I become an owner of an NFL team," Brady added, referencing his potential ownership stake with the Las Vegas Raiders. "I'm always going to be in good shape and throw the ball. To come in for a little bit, like MJ [Michael Jordan] coming back, I don't know if they'd let me, but I wouldn't be opposed."
It's worth acknowledging that the host Vic Blends initially framed his question around a Super Bowl contender like the San Francisco 49ers losing their starting quarterback to injury en route to the playoffs. Brady brought up the New England Patriots and Raiders unprompted. Could Brady be the Raiders' backup plan at quarterback?
The Raiders will be starting a third different quarterback in as many campaigns in 2024 after releasing Jimmy Garoppolo. New general manager Tom Telesco possesses the No. 13 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. That makes the Raiders unlikely candidates to trade up for a consensus top-four quarterback prospect like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. That could mean the Raiders draft Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix with the 13th selection. Or Telesco could target a signal-caller later in the draft if 13 qualifies as too early for what many deem to be the fifth and sixth-best quarterback prospects.
A bridge-type starter was signed in free agency. Gardner Minshew’s presence means the Raiders don't necessarily have to force a pick they're uncomfortable making. Minshew is a top-32 quarterback in the league. Aidan O’Connell is also in the mix.
Even though Brady's post-playing ventures have brought him closer to the Raiders, it's difficult to imagine him agreeing to play for them in 2024. I'd have significantly more confidence in it coming to fruition if the Raiders were positioned to compete for a postseason spot. That's difficult to envision even with Brady at quarterback.
The Raiders finished 8-9 this past season, second in the AFC West. They play in a competitive division alongside Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are attempting to win a third straight Super Bowl and ninth consecutive division title. Would Brady consider making a season-long return just to try to position the Raiders to claim 7-10 victories?
The most optimistic Raiders fan would point out that new head coach Antonio Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 record as the interim leader last season. Pierce deserved the job on a full-time basis, but pairing Pierce with Telesco as a first-year regime places the Raiders closer to rebuilding mode, not Super Bowl contention status.
Brady clearly still possesses a burning desire to play football. Brady's latest comments indicate he'd strongly consider playing football in 2024 under the right circumstances. It could happen. It's just difficult to imagine those circumstances presenting themselves in Vegas.
