Jerod Mayo, the new head coach of the New England Patriots, has expressed interest in having Tom Brady return to the team in a coaching role. Mayo believes the door is always open for Brady, who recently teased the idea of an NFL comeback after retiring last year. While Mayo would welcome Brady as a coach, he also acknowledges that if Brady were to come back to the team, he would need to compete for a spot on the field.
Heading into his first season as head coach, Mayo is overseeing a quarterback room that includes Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, Nathan Rourke, Drake Maye, and Joe Milton III. The Patriots drafted Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and Milton in the sixth round. The upcoming competition will likely revolve around Brissett and Maye as they vie for starting quarterback.
In spite of Brady’s comments about a potential return, Mayo is not optimistic about seeing the legendary quarterback back on the field anytime soon. Brady spent 20 seasons in New England, winning six Super Bowls before moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. He won his seventh Super Bowl with the Buccaneers before retiring in 2023. While Brady has left the door open for a return to the field, he has also hinted at exploring opportunities as a potential NFL owner, which could complicate a comeback.
Brady’s recent comments on the “DeepCuts” podcast sparked speculation about a possible return to the NFL, particularly if a starting quarterback were to suffer an injury during the season. However, Brady’s pending ownership stake in the Raiders could impact any decision to return to playing. In the meantime, Brady has signed a lucrative contract with Fox as their lead NFL analyst for the next 10 years, providing him with a new avenue to stay connected to the game he loves.
As Brady settles into his new role with Fox as a lead NFL analyst, the possibility of a return to the field as a player remains uncertain. While Mayo is open to Brady joining the Patriots in a coaching capacity, he understands that Brady’s competitive nature may lead him back to the field. Ultimately, Brady’s future in the NFL may involve a combination of coaching, ownership, and media roles, showcasing the multifaceted career of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
