Brady's Bizarre Inquiry: A Legacy Under Scrutiny
Rich Eisen, like many of us, is scratching his head. The long-time NFL Network host recently aired his confusion about reports suggesting Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback to ever lace 'em up, inquired with the league about a potential return to play. "Why would he ask the NFL?" Eisen pondered on his show. "He's Tom Brady. He just comes back." And frankly, he’s got a point. Brady's career has been defined by his singular will, not by seeking permission.
Think about it. When Brady retired the first time, on February 1, 2022, it felt… temporary. He walked away, then unretired 40 days later, announcing his return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022 season. That wasn't a league-sanctioned comeback; that was Brady being Brady. He played all 17 games that year, throwing for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns, even if the Bucs stumbled to an 8-9 record. He didn't ask anyone for permission then. So, why now, after his *second* retirement on February 1, 2023, would he suddenly be checking with the league office?
The Dolphins Rumor Mill
The whispers started circulating when Brady was linked to the Miami Dolphins. Remember that whole saga from 2022? The NFL stripped the Dolphins of a first-round pick and a third-round pick for tampering violations, specifically regarding "impermissible communications" with Brady while he was still under contract with the Patriots and later the Buccaneers. It was a messy affair. The league's investigation found that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross had discussions with Brady as early as August 2019, and again in December 2021, when Brady was a Buc.
So, the theory goes, if Brady was considering a return to Miami, perhaps he was trying to navigate the choppy waters of those prior tampering violations. Maybe he was asking if his involvement would trigger further penalties for the Dolphins or himself. It’s a plausible scenario, given the NFL’s history of heavy-handed punishments. But even then, Brady’s always operated with a certain level of defiance. He pushed boundaries, bent rules, and usually got his way. This sudden deference to the league feels out of character for the man with seven Super Bowl rings.
TB12's Post-Playing Ambitions
Here’s my hot take: Brady’s inquiry wasn't about playing for the Dolphins or anyone else. It was about his ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFL has strict rules about players having ownership in other teams, especially if they’re still playing or contemplating a return. Brady's deal to become a limited partner with the Raiders has been dragging on for months, reportedly due to concerns about his broadcast deal with FOX, which is set to begin in 2024.
If Brady was genuinely considering a comeback, even a fleeting thought, it would throw a massive wrench into his Raiders ownership plans and his FOX contract. Maybe the question to the NFL wasn't "Can I play again?" but rather, "If I *were* to play again, how would that impact my other ventures?" He's a businessman now, with a sprawling empire including TB12 Sports and Brady Brand. Playing football is a significant part of his past, but his future is clearly in sports ownership and media. He wants to own a piece of the Raiders, a team that just signed Christian Wilkins to a four-year, $110 million deal. That’s a lot of money to walk away from for a few more snaps.
My bold prediction? We’ve seen the last of Tom Brady on an NFL field. This "inquiry" was a strategic move to clarify his business dealings, not a harbinger of another comeback.