Tom Brady took a shot at Joe Burrow on stage, and it didn’t take long for people to read into it. What started as a quick joke about Burrow’s Oscars night turned into something bigger once the context caught up. One analyst now thinks there was more behind it.
Why Skip Bayless Believes Tom Brady Is ‘Jealous’ of Joe Burrow
On “The Arena: Gridiron,” Skip Bayless reacted to Brady’s recent jab at Burrow and offered his own interpretation of the moment.
“Tom Brady is jealous,” Bayless said. “People, they reported that at the Super Bowl that Tom Brady and Alix Earle were hooking up, and then we saw the picture on Oscar night, and then up on stage, Tom just takes a shot… it’s just clear to me it’s because he’s hanging out with Tom’s girl.”
The comments stem from Brady calling Burrow a “wildcat” during a live event, a line that drew laughs but also raised eyebrows given the timing. Burrow had just been seen at Oscars after-parties alongside Alix Earle and other high-profile names, putting him in the spotlight off the field.
Bayless took that connection a step further and framed Brady’s comment as something more personal than playful. All of it sounds like high school drama.
Context Behind Brady’s ‘Wildcat’ Comment at Fanatics Flag Football Event
The moment happened in the middle of a much bigger stage. Brady is set to take the field for the first time since his retirement three years ago as part of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a showcase built around NFL stars, elite athletes, and Team USA ahead of flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028.
He co-captains Team Founders alongside Jalen Hurts, with a roster that includes Rob Gronkowski, reuniting one of the most dominant duos in NFL history. Three teams will compete in a round-robin format before a championship game, turning the event into both a spectacle and a proving ground.
The format itself adds to the intrigue. The 5-on-5 setup features two 15-minute halves on a shortened field with no tackling, blocking, or kicking. Teams have four downs to reach midfield and score, and drives near the goal line must end with a pass.
Brady made the “wildcat” remark during the draft portion of that event, with Burrow standing nearby. Burrow did not engage in the moment, keeping his composure and letting the comment pass.
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The context around the night added fuel to the discussion. Burrow was seen leaving the Vanity Fair Oscars party with Earle and other influencers, a scene that quickly circulated online. Brady has also been linked to Earle in recent weeks, including appearances at high-profile events.
That overlap turned a quick joke into something people are now reading into. Brady has leaned into humor in public settings since retiring. The comment could land as nothing more than that. Bayless sees it differently.
