1 of 5 | Tom Brady would need to divest his ownership interest in the Las Vegas Raiders to return as an NFL player. File Photo by Jon Robichaud/UPI | License Photo
March 26 (UPI) — Tom Brady considered a return to the NFL, but the league did not support his potential return to the field, the former star quarterback said.
Brady made the comments during an interview with CNBC. The current minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders ended his decorated playing career after the 2022-23 NFL season, which he spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I actually have inquired, and they don’t like that idea very much,” Brady told CNBC. “So I’m going to leave it at that.”
Brady, who won seven Super Bowls and earned more than $330 million in salary during his NFL career, would first need to his divest interest in the Raiders if he did decide to return as a player.
The NFL’s all-time leader in completions, attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns, fourth-quarter comebacks, game-winning drives, games started, victories and Super Bowl titles, showed life remained his right arm during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on Saturday in Los Angeles, but said he is “happily retired.”
“We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired,” Brady said. “Let me just say that, too. I loved being out there playing in the flag game. I loved not getting hit. I’ve got a lot of really fun things I’m involved in.
“It’s never going to get old throwing passes to incredible athletes on the football field. But, if anything, that game reconfirmed to me that I’m very happy in my retirement.”
Brady, who spent 20 of his 23 seasons with the New England Patriots, will turn 49 on Aug. 3. Fellow future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who turned 42 in December, was the oldest player in the NFL to start last season.
He was later surpassed by quarterback Philip Rivers, 44, who ended his retirement in December to sign with the Indianapolis Colts.
Brady is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028.
