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You’ve probably seen the photos by now. The ones where a lanky, grinning teenager is standing next to the "Greatest of All Time," and somehow, the kid is looking down at him. It’s a bit of a trip. Tom Brady is 6'4", a height that dominated NFL pockets for two decades, but his oldest son, Jack Brady (officially John Edward Thomas Moynahan), has officially hit that "towering over dad" phase of life.
As we roll through 2026, the conversation around Jack has shifted. It's no longer just about the "surprise" pregnancy that dominated tabloids in 2007. Now, it’s about a 18-year-old kid carving out his own identity while carrying one of the heaviest last names in sports history. Honestly, the way the public tracks this kid is a little intense, but can you blame them? Everyone wants to know if the "Brady Magic" is genetic.
Jack Brady and Tom Brady: The Michigan Connection?
There’s been a lot of chatter about where Jack is heading next. If you follow Tom on Instagram, you’ve seen the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to the University of Michigan.
Last year, Tom posted a clip of Jack hitting jumpers on the basketball court with the caption, “He got game 100%. Future Wolverine?” That set the internet on fire. For a while, the narrative was that Jack would follow the exact footsteps of his father to Ann Arbor to play quarterback. He did play QB at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. He’s got the arm. He’s got the height—clocking in at a staggering 6'6" now, according to some high school rosters.
But here’s the thing: Jack isn’t just a football player.
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Actually, those who know the New York high school sports scene will tell you he’s been a bit of a polymath. Basketball seems to be his true love lately. He was spotted training with Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks, and his highlights show a kid who’s more comfortable at the three-point line than in a huddle.
A Different Kind of Athlete
Tom has been pretty open about the fact that his kids aren't clones of him. He once admitted to Men’s Health that it was "hard" at first when his middle son, Benny, wasn't into sports. But with Jack, the athletic drive was always there—it just didn't always look like a New England Patriots playbook.
- Soccer: At one point, he wanted to be a pro goalie.
- Swimming: Bridget Moynahan once joked he thought he’d be the next Michael Phelps.
- Lacrosse: He’s been a standout on the field in New York.
- Basketball: Currently his most visible passion.
Basically, Jack is a 6'6" athlete who can do whatever he wants. Whether he ends up at Michigan for sports or just for the education, he’s not just "Tom Brady’s son" anymore. He’s a Division I-caliber athlete in his own right, even if he decides to never take a snap in a meaningful game.
The Co-Parenting Masterclass
We can't talk about Jack and Tom without mentioning Bridget Moynahan. Remember 2007? It was messy. Tom had just started dating Gisele Bündchen when Bridget announced she was pregnant. The media expected a train wreck.
Instead, we got a masterclass in maturity.
Bridget and Tom have quietly become the gold standard for celebrity co-parenting. You see them together at graduations, at the US Open, and in the comments of each other’s posts. Bridget recently spoke on a podcast about "leaning into" her role as a mom as Jack finishes high school and moves toward adulthood. She even took a bit of a break from acting—after her long run on Blue Bloods—to be present for this transition.
It’s sort of refreshing. In a world of public "diss tracks" and messy divorces, they just... figured it out. Even Gisele, before and after her divorce from Tom, always referred to Jack as her "bonus child." That kind of stability is probably why Jack seems so well-adjusted despite having a paparazzi lens pointed at him since he was in a stroller.
Why the "Mini-Me" Label is Fading
For years, the headlines were always "Tom Brady’s Mini-Me." And yeah, the facial structure is identical. The smirk is the same. But as Jack hits 18 and enters his freshman year of college age, the "mini" part is officially dead.
He’s taller. He’s arguably more versatile. And according to Tom, he’s "way smarter."
"I think there's very few things in life that I could probably help him with," Tom said in an interview with InStyle. "He's just a great kid."
That’s a huge admission from a guy who is famously obsessive about everything he touches. Tom has realized that Jack’s path isn't a sequel to his own career; it’s a standalone story.
What’s Next for Jack?
People keep looking for the "announcement." Will he walk on at Michigan? Will he play small-college hoops?
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The reality is likely more boring for the tabloids but better for Jack: he’s taking his time. He spent time as a ball boy for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he’s worked on his game, and he’s kept his grades up. He’s a "grinder," as Tom calls him, but he’s grinding on his own terms.
Actionable Takeaways from the Brady Playbook
Even if you aren't the son of a billionaire quarterback, there’s a lot to learn from how Jack and Tom have handled the spotlight.
1. Don't Force the Legacy
Tom’s biggest growth as a father came when he stopped expecting his kids to be "The Next Tom Brady." If you're a parent or a mentor, let the person find their own "basketball" even if you're a "football" person.
2. Co-Parenting is a Choice
The peace between Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady didn't happen by accident. It took a decade of "keeping it positive." It proves that for the sake of the kid, you can bury the hatchet and actually be friends.
3. Height Isn't Everything, but Work Ethic Is
Jack is 6'6", but his coaches at Riverdale Country always raved about his work ethic. Genetics get you in the door; the "grind" keeps you in the room.
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4. Privacy is a Luxury
Notice how little Jack actually says to the press? He doesn't have a public, verified TikTok where he spills family tea. He stays low-key. In 2026, that kind of mystery is a superpower.
At the end of the day, Jack Brady is just a kid from New York who happens to have a very famous dad. Whether he ever throws a touchdown in the Big House or just plays pickup games at the local YMCA, he’s already won by staying grounded in a family that, despite its fame, actually seems to like each other.
If you're watching his career, look at the basketball court first. That’s where the real story is happening right now. Don't be surprised if the next time you see him, he's wearing Maize and Blue—but holding a basketball instead of a pigskin.