Tom Brady, announcing his retirement for the second consecutive year in 2023, declared that he was bidding farewell to football "for good." However, the legendary NFL figure has sparked speculation by suggesting this week that he may entertain the possibility of returning for yet another comeback.

When queried about the prospect of a needy team reaching out with an offer for his return to the field, the veteran New England Patriots quarterback was asked if he'd be inclined to "pick up the phone."

"I don't know if they're gonna let me, if I become an owner of an NFL team, but I don't know if -- I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, (I'll) always be able to throw the ball. So to come in for a little bit, like M.J. coming back? I don't know if they'd let me, but I wouldn't be opposed to it." Brady replied with a grin, "I'm not opposed to it"

Brady's reference to the Hall of Famer indicates that he might still be considering a return to playing football himself. However, his ability to do so is tied to his pending ownership stake in the NFL. As he awaits approval as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, it's important to note that NFL regulations typically require league-wide approval for any player contracts, should Brady decide to pursue a return to the field. In essence, while Brady may be contemplating a comeback, his ability to do so hinges on both his ownership status and league regulations.

"Patriots? Could be," he joked, when asked about a move to the San Francisco 49ers. "Raiders? Could be. You never know."

Out of the blue, Brady brought up the Raiders and Patriots as two teams he could potentially imagine himself suiting up for again. This mention came without any prompting or direct inquiry about his future plans. Even though he's currently involved with the Raiders in some capacity and has agreed to a broadcasting role with Fox, Brady's remarks imply that he hasn't completely closed the door on the idea of returning to play football. It suggests that he remains receptive to the possibility and would likely consider any offers that come his way from interested teams.

Brady wrapped up his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022, completing his third season with the team following an iconic two-decade stint with the Patriots. As a seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP, his credentials speak volumes. With his contract expired, Brady now holds free agency status, rendering him open for negotiations with any of the 32 NFL teams as they prepare for the 2024 season.