Amid rumors of Tom Brady coming out of retirement to take over the starting job for the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady himself cleared the air through a variety of media appearances Thursday. Brady recently agreed to buy in and become a minority owner of the Raiders, something that he called a “dream” as he hopes to continue involvement with the league. He is also set to begin the first year of a decade-long broadcasting contract with FOX Sports next season.
“I’m certain I’m not playing again, so I’ve tried to make that clear,” Brady said to Sports Illustrated host Robin Lundberg. “I hate to continue to profess that because I’ve already told people that lots of times, but I’m looking forward to my broadcasting job at FOX next year. I’m looking forward to the opportunity I have with the Raiders.”
It is safe to say that some people are still not buying it, including members of WFAN’s Boomer & Gio. On Friday morning, Jerry Reco mentioned Brady’s latest public statements and received conflicting opinions from both hosts.
“I believed you the whole time, Tom, when you spoke to me sitting on those dunes and told me it was over; I believed you,” show co-host Gregg Giannotti said. “Other people did not, like Boomer Esiason who said, ‘I don’t know – maybe the 49ers? Maybe the Raiders?’ I believe Tom. I could tell. You could just look in that man’s eyes. He’s been through a lot the last year or so.”
Recco disagreed with Giannotti, stating that he would at least leave the door open to a potential return. Nonetheless, he would be surprised if Brady ever played again, despite ongoing injury concerns with recently-signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
“I agree with Jerry 100%,” Boomer Esiason said. “Why would anybody be shocked if he did come back?”
“Because he said it 10,000 times, man,” Giannotti replied.
