Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL at 44 years old shocked everyone around the league. The quarterback, who was already listed among the finalists for the 2026 Hall of Fame class, came back in an attempt to save the Indianapolis Colts’ season, and many fans wondered if the same could happen with Tom Brady.
Brady, who last played more recently than Rivers, is still in good physical shape and reached the playoffs in his final year, having last taken the field in January 2023. However, this fan dream is impossible to realize due to a league procedural rule that prevents Brady from returning as a player.
Why Is Tom Brady’s NFL Return An Impossible Scenario?
The first point that needs to be addressed immediately is that, although Brady left the NFL on a positive note, he is four years older than Rivers. A return at 48 would be one of the most unbelievable feats in sports history, considering the physical demands of football.
However, this scenario does not even need to be explored because the league does not allow Brady to return to the NFL for one simple reason: his role as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The rule, created in 2023, prohibits non-family employees of an owner from holding equity in a team.
As a player, Brady would be considered a team employee, which blocks him under this rule. His involvement as a franchise owner already creates limitations in his broadcasting career, as it restricts his access to teams and players and generates controversy at times over alleged conflicts of interest.
The truth is, Brady has already declined a return to the NFL once, shortly after announcing his retirement. Kyle Shanahan revealed that he attempted to sign Brady to the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 as a contingency plan for Brock Purdy, who was recovering from an elbow injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game, an injury with an uncertain recovery timeline.
“Yes, I was serious about it,” Shanahan said. “As we talked, I’m looking at Brock, and he’s got his arm in a sling, and I really am not sure I’ve got a quarterback who’s going to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. That started all of this.”
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At the time, the 49ers had a roster loaded with All-Pro talent and a clear Super Bowl window, giving Brady an appealing opportunity, especially since he had not even been out of the league for a full year, and he still declined.
That made it clear that the greatest player of all time had different plans, now focused on his career as a broadcaster and entrepreneur, leaving his seven Super Bowl titles behind and closing that chapter of his life.
As for Rivers, he delivered a solid outing in the Colts’ Week 15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran quarterback completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Being sacked only once further highlighted that Rivers remains capable of contributing effectively.
Indianapolis will next face the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 16. A defeat would diminish their playoff hopes, meaning Rivers will need to build on his showing against Seattle to keep the Colts competitive against the 49ers.
According to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, San Francisco owns the league’s 24th-ranked defense, making it worth watching whether Rivers can take advantage of a unit dealing with injuries.