Tom Brady has officially made the leap from NFL legend to the broadcast booth, and in his first Fox broadcast as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, he certainly didn’t go unnoticed. During Fox’s NFL pregame show, Brady’s hologram appeared alongside analysts Michael Strahan and Terry Bradshaw, setting the tone for a broadcast that would be closely watched-especially with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes under the spotlight.
Brady’s new dual role as both a TV analyst and part-owner of the Raiders has raised questions about how objective he can be when discussing AFC West rivals like Mahomes and the Chiefs. The balancing act was on full display during Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Brady’s commentary, particularly about Mahomes, quickly became a focal point of the broadcast, igniting conversation across the NFL landscape.
One of the most talked-about moments came when Brady remarked on Mahomes’ unique style of play, saying, “He literally breaks every QB rule I’ve ever learned,” while adding that former Patriots coach Bill Belichick was probably “ripping his hair out” watching Mahomes defy traditional quarterback mechanics. Brady’s comments were a mix of admiration and humor, but they also highlighted just how unconventional Mahomes’ approach is.
Brady’s growth as an NFL analyst
Since joining Fox, Brady has shown steady improvement in the broadcast booth. His early appearances were marked by some awkwardness, but with more reps, he’s becoming more comfortable behind the microphone. However, his new ownership stake in the Raiders complicates his role as a neutral analyst. Many are wondering if he can maintain impartiality, especially when commenting on teams like the Chiefs, who are direct rivals of the Raiders in the AFC West.
Throughout Sunday’s game, Brady walked a fine line between offering insight and showing restraint. Early in the game, he supported a holding call against the 49ers without much controversy. But when a late interference call was made against Chiefs safety Justin Reid, Brady hesitated, admitting that Reid had a reason to be frustrated. He quickly deferred to Fox’s rules expert, Mike Pereira, to avoid further criticism or accusations of bias.
Brady’s growing confidence in the booth
As the game progressed, Brady continued to show his expertise on quarterback play, but there were moments when his role as an analyst seemed to clash with his new responsibilities as a team owner. When Mahomes made a remarkable play while being tackled, Brady initially focused on backup tight end Noah Gray, who caught the pass. It wasn’t until his co-host, Kevin Burkhardt, brought attention back to Mahomes’ heroics that Brady acknowledged, “We’ve seen that so often. What a stud.”
Fox clearly has high expectations for Brady’s future as a top NFL analyst. Not only did they feature him heavily in pregame and postgame segments, but they also aired an exclusive interview between Brady and Mahomes. However, the intersection of Brady’s ownership role with his broadcasting career will continue to generate discussion, especially as he calls games involving the Raiders’ division rivals.
Future challenges for Brady as an NFL Broadcaster
As Brady settles into his new role, his ability to navigate the complexities of being both a Raiders owner and a Fox commentator will be tested. While his praise for Mahomes on Sunday showed his respect for the Chiefs quarterback, it also raised questions about how Brady will handle future broadcasts where his Raiders ownership might come into conflict with his need for objectivity.
