One of the NFL’s hottest talking points this season isn’t a player or coach—it’s Tom Brady.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has taken on multiple high-profile roles since retiring, including becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and serving as the lead game analyst for Fox Sports. But those overlapping responsibilities are starting to ruffle feathers around the league.
During Week 2’s Monday Night Football, Brady was spotted wearing a headset in the Raiders’ coaching booth, further fueling speculation about his involvement in team decision-making. While his presence didn’t surprise insiders—Brady has been known to play an influential role in Las Vegas since joining the ownership group—it raised new concerns about potential conflicts of interest tied to his broadcasting duties.
As part of his role at Fox, Brady participates in weekly production meetings with players, coaches, and executives of the teams he’ll cover. These meetings provide broadcasters with behind-the-scenes insights on strategies, scouting reports, and personnel. For other NFL owners, that’s where the controversy lies.
“[The Raiders] are getting an unfair advantage whether they capitalize on it or not,” one team owner told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. “You don’t think he’s getting info from the crew that is allowed at practice? Of course he is.”
A general manager echoed the concern: “It’s Tom Brady. He’s one of the most shrewd quarterbacks to ever play football. Of course he’s going to soak up everything he can to give the Raiders an edge.”
This week, Brady and broadcast partner Kevin Burkhardt are in Chicago for the Bears vs. Cowboys matchup on Fox (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET). The timing only heightens the scrutiny, as Las Vegas will host the Bears at Allegiant Stadium next week.
Still, not everyone is buying into the controversy. Bears head coach Ben Johnson dismissed the idea that Brady’s dual access could tip the scales.
“I’m really not worried about it,” Johnson said. “Schematically, he can turn on the tape and see what everyone else sees. Personnel-wise, it’s the same thing. It’s not like I’m going to sit down and hand him trade secrets. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal.”
Brady himself responded to Johnson’s comments on Instagram, writing: “Thank you for some common sense! Finally a smart coach speaks up.”
Whether or not Brady’s dual roles truly give the Raiders an edge, one thing is clear—the NFL’s most decorated quarterback is still finding ways to dominate the conversation.
