NFL legend Troy Aikman has said he "wouldn’t rule out" Tom Brady coming out of retirement for a second time.
Brady called time on his NFL career after a third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in February. He won one the Super Bowl ring with the Florida franchise, adding to the six he won with the New England Patriots.
The 45-year-old had announced his retirement in 2022, only to release another statement just 41 days later saying that he would continue to play with the Bucs. And after retiring for a second time, there continues to be speculation that he could still return to play in the NFL.
Such talk has been fuelled by the news that he is set to buy a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. While it’s not been disclosed how much ownership Brady would have of the Raiders, it’s thought that it will not be controlling or have the ability to make key decisions on the team or the business.
Shoukd Brady want to return to playing, this time in a Raiders jersey, then he would need the approval of all 32 NFL teams. The League’s rules prevent figures within franchises from holding a “dual-role” without first getting the permission of every team in the league.
While it’s unlikely that Brady will be able to make an NFL return, it’s not entirely impossible. And former quarterback Aikman believes that there is still a possibility that Brady could still come out of retirement in the future.
Aikman, who spent 11 years as the star QB for the Dallas Cowboys, was the number one pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and went on to win three Super Bowls in his career. And the 56-year-old says that he “wouldn’t rule out” Brady making an NFL return in the future.
"I don't want speak for Tom,” Aikman told TMZ Sports . “(But) I wouldn't rule anything out.
"I would bet that nothing’s off the table, as far as what may occur during the season, or what Tom’s role may be.”
The Raiders have a new-look QB room after the exit of Derek Carr to the New Orleans Saints. Jimmy Garoppolo was signed from the San Francisco 49ers, but is currently recovering from a serious ankle injury.
Rookie Aidan O’Connell was drafted with the 135th overall pick in last month’s draft. Plus, Chase Garbers is about to enter his second season with the Raiders, while league veteran Brian Hoyer was signed as a free agent after he was released by the Patriots.
