Tom Brady (Credit: Getty Images)
Tom Brady is coming out of retirement…but not quite in the way his giant fanbase was hoping for.

Since Tom Brady’s initial retirement in 2022 only lasted 40 days, it was hard for fans to believe the seven-time Super Bowl champion when he said he was retired for good in February 2023. But here we are in September 2025, and it’s clear the 48-year-old won’t play another NFL snap.

But the good news for Brady’s millions of fans is that they’ll be able to “sort of” see him play competitive football again.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brady will suit up in a flag football tournament in March along with former teammate Rob Gronkowski and premier NFL stars Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Maxx Crosby, CeeDee Lamb, Myles Garrett and Sauce Gardner.

Schefter announced they’ll compete in the “Fanatics Flag Football Classic” held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 21. It was noted that Kyle Shanahan, Pete Carroll and Sean Payton will be the coaches for the tournament:

So, Tom Brady’s social media tease about a return to football wasn’t a joke after all.

Tom Brady Seems Content With NFL Retirement

Fox Sports broadcaster Tom Brady (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

Brady has done well for himself since retiring from football. For starters, he’s in his second season of a 10-year, $375 million contract he signed with Fox Sports back in 2022. He works on the network’s No. 1 team alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Erin Andrews and called Super Bowl 59 last February.

The three-time MVP is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, with NFL owners approving of his bid last year. Brady and Mark Davis have worked extensively to rebuild the team, hiring Pete Carroll before trading for Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith and using the No. 6 pick on prized running back Ashton Jeanty.

With two new blossoming careers, Brady has no reason to put his body on the line and try returning to the NFL at the age of 48.