Tom Brady Sparks NFL Comeback Rumors At 48

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 5:39 PM ET

With Philip Rivers coming out of retirement to have one more go at NFL glory at age 44, people are wondering if 48-year-old Tom Brady could do the same.

Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Brady addressed the question, stating point-blank that while he believes he could come out of the announcer's booth and play QB today, his position as Las Vegas Raiders minority owner makes that impossible and prevents him from playing again.

"Yes, I certainly could," Brady said. "I think the answer for me would be yes. I'm not allowed to anymore because I'm a minority owner of the Raiders, so I can't unretire."

Tom Brady on Philip Rivers' Colts comeback: "I certainly could" still play QB in NFL at age 48https://t.co/uAytknPqlS pic.twitter.com/IoMBN8Bofs
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 12, 2025

As far as Rivers goes as he attempts to play his first game in five years, Brady expressed confidence that as long as he still has the physical abilities, he has what it takes.

"This game is about, for the quarterback, from the neck up," Brady said. "We used to have a saying at Michigan, 'The mental is to the physical as four is to one at the quarterback position.' That doesn't really go away. Do you still have the physical ability to still do it -- take the hits, make the throws, the drops, buy a little time in the pocket?

"If Philip has been practicing those things, then we're all going to see it on full display in Seattle on Sunday afternoon."

Jan 9, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in action against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter of a AFC Wild Card game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports© Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Brady in the NFL at 48?

Back to the topic of Brady playing at his age, he would have a chance to break the record held by Hall of Famer George Blanda as the oldest player in NFL history. Blanda played in the NFL until he was 48 years old and about four months - last playing in the 1975-76 AFC Championship Game.

If Brady were to suit up this month, he would be break that record.

But as he said, it's not happening. Blanda's record is one that Brady will never be able to break.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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