Maxx Crosby addresses Tom Brady possibly playing for Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby isn't slamming the door shut on Tom Brady ending his latest retirement to replace Jimmy Garoppolo if he gets injured this season. 

"Yeah, the possibility (of Brady returning), obviously we got Jimmy G," Crosby said during an appearance on "The Voncast" program hosted by Buffalo Bills star Von Miller, as shared by Sam Neumann of the Comeback. "He’s coming back. He’s gonna be healthy. But you know, you never know what’s going to happen. Tom Brady’s a competitor. The greatest of all time. At the absolute worst, if everything doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to and we need him, I would not be surprised if Tom Brady shows up in a Raiders jersey." 

Brady is set to become a limited partner of the Raiders, perhaps as soon as October, and recently noted he wants to play "a very passive role" with the organization as he prepares to serve as Fox's lead NFL analyst starting in 2024. However, Garoppolo is still recovering from a foot procedure he underwent in March and could have his Raiders contract scrapped if he can't pass a physical this summer. The 31-year-old is expected to be ready to go before training camp, but Brady's availability as a free agent could give the Raiders a "break glass in case of emergency" option depending on Garoppolo's status.

Brady insisted throughout a media tour he completed earlier this spring he's committed to remaining retired, and he'd need the approval of NFL owners to play for the Raiders while also having an ownership stake in the team anyway. With all of that said, Crosby's comments indicate at least some inside of the Las Vegas locker room think there's a chance Brady and not Garoppolo could be atop the team's depth chart at the sport's most important position when the Raiders open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sept. 10.