Tom Brady has been tipped to seal an emotional return to the New England Patriots next year due to his relationship with team owner Bob Kraft.
Brady is set to become a free agent at the end of the current season and it had been widely expected that he would begin his new career as a pundit on Fox Sports. However, there's also every chance he'll look to continue playing, and if he does, the Patriots represent a viable option.
The 45-year-old previously predicted he could play past the age of 46, using the longevity of a baseball pitcher's career to predict his proficiency going forward. And having spent 20 years in New England, the emotional pull will be there if he is offered the chance to return.
During his time in Foxborough, Brady had an incredibly close relationship with Kraft - which stemmed from a conversation they had after he was drafted. The pair's closeness continued beyond Brady leaving the team for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, with Kraft reportedly texting Brady at that time saying: "Love you more than you know for being so classy in everything you do."
And as Brady prepares to potentially become a free agent for only the second time in his career, whispers have started suggesting a return to the Patriots could be on the cards, something NFL expert Bill Simmons believes could happen because of Kraft.
Speaking on his podcast, Simmons referenced Brady showing up at Kraft's wedding in New York on a Friday night before a game on Sunday as evidence that their bond is as tight as ever. He said: "What happened four or five weeks ago? Who showed up at Bob Kraft's birthday party [sic, it was his wedding], a Friday night, before a Tampa Bay Bucs game, why would someone do that?
"Now you start thinking, 'where was I happy? Where do I belong? Who are my people? It's the Patriots fans. What's the best thing for my legacy? Oh, I can just Peter out on this 7-10/8-9 Bucs team. I lose in round 1 and then I go to Fox?' I don't think he wants to go to Fox, I just think he's on the wrong team.
"He needs an offensive line, the Pats have an offensive line. He needs a tight end, the Pats have a tight end. He needs a running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield? How about Romandre Stevenson.
"How about a bunch of receivers who can do some stuff? How about a young team that's probably a year away from being decent. He comes back home, puts a bow on it, he's a Patriot for life, 'this is where I want to be. Bob Kraft is the most meaningful relationship I've had as an adult, he's like a second father to me.'"
Brady and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's relationship is believed to have deteriorated over the years, culminating in his departure from the team.
However, after Brady's first return to Gillette Stadium with the Bucs, the pair apparently set up a private meeting in the away locker room, where they spoke for more than 20 minutes. And Simmons exclaimed that he can't rule out Brady's return for that reason as well.
"Belichick and Brady together, this is how it has to end. This is the Shawshank reunion. This is Dirk Diggler coming back to Jack Horner's house at the end [of the film Boogie Knights]. They always come back. I'm just saying, don't rule it out."
