Rumors of Tom Brady’s potential return to the gridiron have persisted since he last stepped off the gridiron at the end of the 2022 season. While he isn’t planning a comeback, Brady knows exactly which team he would want to play for if he unretired today.
In the latest edition of #AskTom, Brady had a “pretty simple” answer when asked which team he’d most want to play for.
“I’m a veteran quarterback, and Matt Stafford’s a veteran quarterback, too, playing for Sean McVay, playing with Puka [Nacua]playing with Davante [Adams]the three tight ends they run, Kyren Williams, Blake Corum (the Michigan Wolverine) and a very good offensive line led by Ryan Wendell, my former center,” said Brady, expressing a desire to quarterback the Los Angeles Rams in this hypothetical.
Even though the Rams are off to a disappointing 2-3 start, their talent at the skill positions is undeniable. Nacua was named an All-Pro for the second time in his career last season and recorded a career-high 17 catches in the Rams’ Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, Adams is having another strong season statistically, sixth in receiving yards (441) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (4).
In fact, you could make the case that Stafford’s play at quarterback could hinder the Rams this season. While he leads the league in passing, Stafford’s 88.3 passer rating is 21st in the league.
As for Brady, he threw for 4,694 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 90.7 passer rating as a 45-year-old in 2022. Would the 49-year-old Brady be able to put up similar stats if he played for the Rams today?
That we don’t know. But we know what Brady thinks about Brock Purdy, because he praised the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in the latest edition of #AskTom. He also fielded questions from the MLB on FOX crew, with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz asking for the GOAT’s opinion on certain topics.
Here’s everything Brady had to say on this week’s #AskTom.
Derek Jeter: I’ve been tearing up here for a while, so I need an answer: Are our Wolverines coming back?
Brady: Listen, we’re throwing out the stats. We’ve been tossing the notes up to this point — because they don’t look too good right now. Look, I’m a Michigan Man. Derek, you are a Michigan Man. I’m riding Maize & Blue. We’re going to change it, and we’re going to be ready for those Buckeyes in November.
Who has been the league’s most impactful signing so far this season?
Brady: I got some. I only covered one in Seattle — he was the LFG Player of the Game: Mike Evans, my old teammate in Tampa, who had over 100 yards against that defense. He lit it. He had cracked ribs playing with the toughness I knew when I played him, and I’m glad he’s on the national scene now.
Also, don’t forget about Nakobe Dean in Raiders. What he adds at the middle linebacker position — very strong, very tough, some game changing. That’s another one.
And, of course, you can’t forget about this guy: K9, Kenneth Walker. He led the league in rushing in Week 4. He said goodbye, but he’s off the chain this year. The way he’s running, his physical toughness, his breakaway and the speed. He’s been explosive, he’s been efficient and he’s been a catalyst for the Kansas City Chiefs offense. That was one hell of a signing for the Chiefs in the offseason.
You might only choose one. who is this
Brady: You’re an a–hole, Kevin (laughs). I’m not picking one. I gave three for a reason.
Can Brock Purdy lead his team to a Super Bowl if he has to?
Brady: He certainly can. He’s playing like one of the MVP favorites right now. He leads the league in passer rating heading into Seattle, sharing the ball with Evans, [George] Kittle and [Christian] McCaffrey, making plays in transition, extending plays on third down and scrambling when he needs to.
He makes a lot of impact plays. He is very proud, the way he plays as a true field general out there, getting his team to the best place. He went up to Seattle and surprised a lot of people on Sunday. That’s right, Brock.
Tom, you mentioned once that Brock manages games very well, and I think some people took that as a shot, but that’s not what you meant, right?
Brady: Well, I think as a quarterback, you always have to be in charge of every game. You manage every situation. You are the coach on the field. You get the last swipe of the pencil. You’re the checks and balances of the entire offense, and when it’s time to make a play out there, you do that too. You do the easy, and when necessary, you do the hard. Always get your team into the right game. And sometimes, you have to do something with your legs, and Brock did that.
Alex Rodriguez: Where does our man, Kevin Burkhardt, rank as far as your favorite Super Bowl teammates?
Brady: Hey, two of my favorites on the Fox MLB desk. What a nice surprise. KB, A-Rod. You know what? It’s hard to rank anyone at the top, but let me save it. KB, you are on top. I love having you there, partner. There’s no one I’d rather spend a Sunday with. Let’s do this for the rest of our lives. what do you say
Who are your favorite receivers in the league right now? Here’s the caveat: JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), J’Marr Chase, JJ (Justin Jefferson) and Puka Nacua are a given. We want your next four.
Brady: I got the Amon-Ra St. Brown from the Lions. He could easily be in the top tier group you mentioned. He does everything. He’s also a non-diva receiver. He always finds a way inside, outside, run after catch. He does everything and blocks in the run game.
Davante Adams, off to a hell of a year, a little throwback year from. The Rams weren’t sure they were going to bring him back this offseason, but he proved they were back in that uniform. He was great when Puka was out, still making those plays in the end zone. He has been ridiculous this year.
CeeDee Lamb, she couldn’t believe it. The Cowboys’ offense — what they do in that dome, how they pass the ball — they’re going to need that passing game to show up every week because the defense is struggling. The run game is struggling a bit, but between Dak [Prescott]CeeDee and [George] Pickens, they will build that passing game and be a threat in the NFC East.
And the last guy, I’m covering this Sunday in Atlanta for the first time, Drake London. This is how you cut a promo right here. Drake London, I’m telling you, this guy is big, physical, fast and can catch traffic.
He and Bijan [Robinson]I can’t wait to see those guys line up for the very first time in the dome. I’m going there in Atlanta. Yes, Atlanta, I know you’re probably not excited to see me there. Don’t worry, I won’t make too many 28-3 references.
If Tom Brady had to step into an offense this season, with the goal of scoring as many points as possible — so defense, no matter the head coach — who would it be? Where are you happiest?
Brady: Well, that one is pretty simple, actually. I’m a veteran quarterback, and Matt Stafford is a veteran quarterback, too, playing for Sean McVay, playing with Puka, playing with Davante, that three tight end grouping that they run, Kyren Williams, Blake Corum (the Michigan Wolverine) and a very good offensive line led by Ryan Wendell, my former center. He and I still get along.
We still have a good relationship, not the same relationship I had when I had my hands on his butt as a center with the New England Patriots all those years ago, but we still have a good relationship. That’s the offense I want to play.
Puka Nacua could be in the midst of another All-Pro season, logging a career-high 17 receptions in Week 5. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
You told me you wouldn’t fit Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry RPO?
Brady: You know, that was a little different for me. I guess with my skinny legs and my lack of strength and speed, that’s not the right offense for me to light up the scoreboard.
What’s the toughest defense you’ve played against schematically?
Brady: So early in my career, we played the Miami Dolphins. It’s a pretty simple coverage structure, a lot of two-high defenses, ridiculous defensive ends, led by Jason Taylor. He is a threat in the run game and the pass game. At middle linebacker is Zach Thomas, another Hall of Famer, he tackles everyone and never misses a tackle. He is a ridiculous player in the run game, supporting the entire back end of the defense in the pass game. Pat Surtain, Sam Madison — they could do it all.
I think some of my worst career games came against that damn Dolphins defense. I don’t want to play Dolphins. They nail it every time. We were lucky to escape with a few wins. Thank God we had a good defense, or we probably would have lost a lot of those games.
David Ortiz: Who is the NFL’s Big Papi?
Brady: This one is easy. Head over to the “Gronk & Jules Show.” Big Papi, this is “Gronk & Jules,” two Boston legends, right there on the lot with me, just like you. We are all part of the FOX family.