He’s been retired for years. Well, officially anyway. But if you scroll through social media on a Sunday afternoon, you’d think Tom Brady was still under center. The comments about Tom Brady have shifted from "How did he make that throw?" to "Why did he just say that in the booth?" or "Is he actually running the Raiders?"
It’s wild. Most legendary athletes fade into a comfortable, quiet life of golf and occasional steakhouse appearances. Not Brady. Between a $375 million Fox contract, a rocky transition to broadcasting, and a minority stake in a struggling Las Vegas franchise, the discourse around the seven-time Super Bowl champ is louder than ever.
Honestly, the guy is a magnet for opinions. You’ve got the die-hard "TB12" loyalists who think he can do no wrong and the skeptics who are finding his second act... a little bumpy.
The Fox Booth: From Rough Starts to "Excellent" Marks
When Brady first stepped into the Fox broadcasting booth, the internet was, uh, not kind. People were calling him robotic. Others said he was too prepared—like he was reading a textbook on air. Dan Le Batard didn't hold back, recently saying Brady’s commentary was "distracting" because it just wasn't good yet.
But here’s the thing. Brady is a grinder. He basically treated broadcasting like he treated a two-minute drill.
By late 2025 and early 2026, the vibe changed. Fox producer Richie Zyontz recently told Front Office Sports that Brady is "excellent right now." He’s stopped trying to explain every single technical detail and started just talking football. During a recent Eagles-Niners game, he went viral for a breakdown of a Nakobe Dean coverage lapse that most announcers would have missed.
Even veteran anchor Stan Verrett posted that Brady might already be the best analyst in the game. That’s a massive swing in public opinion in just twelve months.
Why the "Boring" Label Sticks (For Some)
Not everyone is buying the charisma. Chelsea Handler recently went on a bit of a tear, calling Brady "boring" and "not dynamic." It’s a common critique. When you spend 23 years being a professional's professional, it’s hard to suddenly become a "personality."
Some fans on Reddit still argue that he lacks the "it" factor of someone like Tony Romo or Greg Olsen. They miss the raw excitement. Brady is clinical. He’s the guy who goes to bed at 9:00 PM to wake up at 5:00 AM. That level of discipline makes for a great QB, but it doesn't always make for a wild Saturday night or a spicy podcast guest.
The Raiders Drama: Minority Owner or Shadow GM?
This is where the comments about Tom Brady get really spicy. His role with the Las Vegas Raiders is a massive talking point heading into the 2026 season.
Mark Davis recently fired Pete Carroll after a dismal 3-14 season. The official word? General Manager John Spytek will lead the coaching search "in close collaboration with Tom Brady."
"Brady is driving the decisions in Las Vegas," is the sentiment echoed by league insiders.
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This has ruffled feathers. Other NFL owners are reportedly annoyed. How can a guy be a part-owner and decision-maker for one team while having access to the practice facilities and playbooks of other teams as a Fox broadcaster? It’s a conflict of interest that hasn't been fully resolved, and fans are vocal about it.
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick this April. Brady is reportedly high on Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. If Mendoza becomes a star, Brady looks like a genius. If he busts, the "he should stick to the booth" comments will be deafening.
The "I'd Whoop Ass" Moment
Late in 2025, Brady appeared on The Big Podcast with Shaq and dropped a line that set the NFL world on fire. He said, "I'd whoop ass right now, to be honest. Give me a month, I could go play with anybody."
The comments flooded in.
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- Half the fans wanted him to sign with the Jets or the Raiders immediately.
- The other half pointed out that he’s 48 and looked "human" in his final year with Tampa.
It’s that classic Brady confidence. He acknowledges he doesn't want to do the training anymore, but the itch is clearly still there. This "I could still do it" energy is exactly why people can't stop talking about him. He refuses to just be a "former" player.
What People Get Wrong About the Roast
Remember the Netflix roast? It felt like a turning point. People saw a "human" side of him—someone willing to take hits about his divorce and his career.
But then came the regret. Brady later admitted on IMPAULSIVE that he felt like he "f-ed up" as a parent because of how the jokes affected his kids. This led to a whole new wave of comments about Tom Brady, mostly debating whether he’s too "controlled" or if he finally showed some real vulnerability.
Interestingly, by January 2026, he seems to have made peace with it. He told Shaq he likes being made fun of because it shows people are comfortable with you. It’s that locker room mentality he can’t quite shake.
How to Filter the Brady Noise
If you're trying to keep up with the latest on the GOAT, you have to look past the clickbait. Here is how to actually track his impact:
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- Watch the Raiders Draft: Don't listen to the rumors; watch who they pick at No. 1. If it's a "Brady-style" QB, you know who made the call.
- Listen for the "Why": In his Fox broadcasts, ignore the polish. Listen for when he explains why a play failed. That’s where the real value is.
- Follow the "199" Newsletter: This is where he’s actually being honest. He recently wrote about his "growing pains" at Fox, which is a rare moment of humility from a guy with seven rings.
The reality is that we are in the middle of the "Executive Brady" era. He’s no longer just a guy throwing a ball; he’s a media mogul and a team builder. The comments won't stop—they’ll just get more complicated.
To stay ahead of the curve, pay attention to the Raiders' front-office moves this spring. That will tell you more about Brady’s future than any podcast clip or viral tweet ever could.