Brady, who retired twice before in February 2022 and February 2023, posted a shirtless workout video on his Instagram story on Thursday, fueling rumors of a return to the NFL at the age of 46. Notably, his previous retirements lasted only a short period, with his current hiatus from football extending over 14 months.
Unlike his previous retirements, where he promptly filed retirement papers to the NFL and NFLPA, Brady’s current status remains uncertain. The video showcases Brady’s enduring physical condition as he runs at a decent pace, reminiscent of his playing days, albeit without pads or a helmet.
Speculation surrounding Brady’s return gained traction on April 11 during an episode of ‘DeepCut,’ where he expressed openness to entertaining offers from NFL teams. A week prior, Brady dropped another hint on X, stating that he would consider coming out of retirement if his post received 50k likes, referencing an old haircut.
With the New England Patriots in search of a new franchise quarterback following the departure of Mac Jones, speculation mounts that Brady could reunite with his former team. Patriots’ head coach Jerod Mayo, a former teammate of Brady, may consider the veteran quarterback as a solution.
Brady’s Instagram post also included the message ‘No bull. No excuses. Show up for yourself so you can show up all damn day,’ accompanied by three clock emojis and the phrase ’24 years later,’ reminiscing about his NFL debut.
In 2022, Brady signed a lucrative 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX Sports to become the network’s top color commentator, scheduled to commence this fall. However, his recent social media activity suggests that a return to the gridiron could be on the horizon.