Tom Brady Returns to Football With Surprising Decision After Retiring 3 Years Ago

ESPN’s Adam Schefter nearly broke the internet with his latest social media post regarding the legendary Tom Brady. One of, if not the greatest quarterbacks of all time has made a surprising decision despite retiring three years ago. The seven-time Super Bowl Champion will be returning to the field sooner than fans would expect, though it’s for an event not affiliated with the National Football League.

What Is Tom Brady’s Flag Football Superteam?

Many of the top NFL players are coming together for “Riyadh Season” in Saudi Arabia, an initiative that has successfully attracted other major sports figures and events. Previously, Saudi Arabia has drawn in stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and secured a deal with WWE to host “WrestleMania.” With the recent Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight also being part of “Riyadh Season,” it is clear they are aiming for the best of the best.

Brady will be joining this star-studded lineup for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.

Tom Brady is coming out of retirement, sort of, to join Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Maxx Crosby, Rob Gronkowski, Sauce Gardner Myles Garrett and others for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic – a competitive flag football tournament taking place during Riyadh…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2025

Schefter wrote, “Tom Brady is coming out of retirement, sort of, to join Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Maxx Crosby, Rob Gronkowski, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett and others for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.”

The event is scheduled for March 21, 2026. This means NFL fans will not have to wait long to see some of their favorite stars again after Super Bowl LX, which takes place on Feb. 8, 2026.

Who Else Is Participating in the Event?

Schefter also noted that Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan will serve as coaches for the three teams. While many details about the tournament have yet to be released, the initial announcement had football fans on the edge of their seats, thinking Brady was making a full comeback.

Even though this is not a return to the NFL, it could be a step toward another football venture for Brady. He has previously discussed the possibility of playing for Team USA when flag football makes its Olympic debut in 2028. Brady remains deeply involved in the sport through his ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders and his broadcasting role with FOX, so the NFL is not moving on from him anytime soon.

Joining Brady on the field will be his legendary teammate, Rob Gronkowski. Another former player who has transitioned to an analyst role, Gronkowski’s participation adds another layer of excitement. The two remain close friends and can be seen interacting weekly on FOX’s NFL coverage.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Flag Football Classic is the mix of offensive and defensive talent. While defensive stars like Maxx Crosby, Sauce Gardner, and Myles Garrett will not be able to make highly physical plays, it will still be fascinating to see how they match up against one of the greatest football players of all time.