Tom Brady created a stir with his recent comments about not ruling out a late-season return to the NFL, including the possibility of rejoining the New England Patriots. However, head coach Jerod Mayo indicated on Monday that he could only envision Brady returning to the team in a different capacity.
Expressing his admiration for Brady, Mayo stated in an interview on sports radio WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” that while the door is always open for Brady to join as a coach, the prospect of him returning as a player remains uncertain.
During the NFL draft, the Patriots secured North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye as their third overall pick and also selected Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the sixth round (No. 193). With five quarterbacks currently on the roster, including veteran Jacoby Brissett, 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe, and former Canadian Football League standout Nathan Rourke, Mayo emphasized the team’s plan to let the quarterbacks compete for the starting role.
Mayo reiterated the principle of the “best player will play” and suggested that if Brady were to join, he would need to compete like everyone else. However, he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Brady returning to the Patriots in the near future.
In his discussion about a potential comeback, Brady mentioned that the NFL might not permit it if he becomes a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite reaching an agreement with Raiders owner Mark Davis in May 2023 to join the ownership group, pending NFL approval, Brady also revealed plans to embark on a career as a sports broadcaster at Fox Sports, which he eagerly anticipates.
Reflecting on his past career in football, Brady emphasized a shift in focus towards delivering for his future teammates, indicating a readiness to embrace new challenges beyond the playing field.