It didn’t take long for the Tom Brady buzz to start building in Sin City.
In light of the recent news surrounding Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — who underwent foot surgery this offseason after joining the team in March on a three-year, $67.5 million deal, which reportedly includes a waiver clause — speculation is already mounting as to who could potentially be the next man up.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal outlined an option for the Raiders centered on Brady — who stated in February he’s retiring from the NFL “for good” — and, as expected, the idea of the quarterback suiting up again wouldn’t be without possible complications.
In recent weeks, the 45-year-old Brady has moved closer to obtaining a minority stake in the Raiders, which is owned by Mark Davis.
Although “there is no timetable for a decision,” according to the Review-Journal, “a league source raised the possibility that Brady’s approval by fellow owners could come with the provision that he is fully retired.”
Speculation mounted in May 2023 regarding the possibility of Tom Brady suiting up for the Raiders.Getty Images
Tom Brady with Raiders owner Mark Davis in May 2022.Getty ImagesIn the event of the sale going “through without provisions and Brady opts at some point to come out of retirement to play again, doing so would require approval by the owners. That stipulation about playing applies to every owner.”
Failure to reach approval could potentially result in Brady relinquishing his ownership before hitting the field once more.
But in the case of Brady having his cake and eating it too, a league insider noted, “A ton of salary cap issues would come with that.”
In order for Brady’s Raiders deal to become official, it must be voted on and approved by at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners.
Tom Brady announced his NFL retirement in February 2023.Getty ImagesBrady announced his second NFL retirement in February after 23 seasons.
He played for the Patriots for the first two decades of his career before joining the Buccaneers in 2020.
Garoppolo, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2014, has spent the past five-and-a-half seasons with the 49ers.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo spent the past five-and-a-half seasons with the 49ers.Getty Images
Jimmy Garoppolo joined the Raiders in free agency in March 2023.Getty ImagesThe 31-year-old Garoppolo sustained a foot injury against the Dolphins last December, paving the way for rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, who led San Francisco to an NFC Championship berth in January.
“Everything that’s happened since we signed Jimmy, we knew ahead of time. … Certainly had an awareness of all of it. Our preference is not to push it and rush anybody back at this point in time,” Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said last week.
In addition to Garoppolo, veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer and rookie Aidan O’Connell are on the Raiders’ roster.
