NFL Insider: Tom Brady 'Likely Not' Playing for Raiders in 2024 Despite Rumors

Despite speculation born from recent comments made by Tom Brady, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano does not envision the legendary quarterback coming out of retirement.

Graziano expressed his belief that Brady returning to the field at some point in 2024 is "likely not happening," although he did not completely rule it out.

Given Brady's commitment to preparation, Graziano wrote that he "can't see him jumping into a season without his usual offseason routine to prepare."

During an appearance this month on the DeepCut podcast (h/t ESPN's Mike Reiss), Brady suggested that he would consider the possibility of playing again under certain circumstances:

When asked if he would come out of retirement should a team call him in the middle of the season after losing a quarterback due to injury, Brady said:

"I'm not opposed to it. I don't know if they are going to let me if I become an owner of an NFL team. I'm always going to be in good shape. I'll always be able to throw the ball. So, to come in for a little bit, like MJ [Michael Jordan] coming back, I don't know if they would let me. But I wouldn't be opposed to it."

In his answer, Brady mentioned the fact that his attempt to become part of the Las Vegas Raiders' ownership group is still pending NFL approval.

The agreement between Brady and Raiders owner Mark Davis was announced in May 2023, but it still hasn't been finalized. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in March that he believed the league was "making progress" toward approving Brady.

If Brady is approved, it is unclear if he would be allowed to play, although it is perhaps most likely that he would be permitted to play for the Raiders since he would have an ownership stake in the team.

The 46-year-old Brady retired following the 2022 season and did not play last season. Over 23 illustrious seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady was a seven-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Super Bowl MVP and three-time NFL MVP, and he is the all-time NFL leader in passing yardage and passing touchdowns.

In his final season, Brady's play was inconsistent, and the Bucs went only 8-9, but there is reason to believe he could still play at a high level in the right situation.

The Raiders did not select a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft since six quarterbacks came off the board before they picked, leaving them with journeyman veteran Gardner Minshew and 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell.

It can be argued that Brady would be an upgrade over both of them, but assuming he decides to stay retired, Brady will have no problem staying busy, as he is set to begin his NFL broadcasting job with Fox this year.