On Thursday morning, New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft made a pretty major announcement revealing that the team will be inviting longtime quarterback Tom Brady back to New England for the team’s home opener this season where they will honor him for everything he accomplished during his 20 seasons with the Patriots. But some fans think he should return to New England for another reason: to play.
It’s no secret to those who have followed the New England Patriots quarterback drama this offseason that there is at least some concern about that position heading into the 2023 season. And with Brady returning to New England for the team’s season opener, that led to plenty of jokes.
The near-consensus social media reaction to the Patriots announcing that Brady will be in attendance for the first game of the season was to suggest that he should suit up and take the field for the team, as well.
https://twitter.com/eastcoast_joe/status/1656660553224564736?s=20
Brady after Mac throws 3 interceptions https://t.co/XOaoLFF0mx https://t.co/DxksJwBww8
— Alex (@AlexAFC_) May 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/EthanBigBlue/status/1656657968644116487?s=20
*Tom Brady comes out of the tunnel in a jersey, the crowd goes WILD* https://t.co/niIcM4XX39
— Joey (@YoeyBerg) May 11, 2023
Have we confirmed he isn't *playing* in the home opener? https://t.co/OlY2PB3UZe
— tay (@tayylorrmaee) May 11, 2023
And 90 minutes before kickoff he will be listed as questionable but on the active roster. https://t.co/wKuo2WOQCv
— PwinDynasty (@PwinDynasty) May 11, 2023
Tom coming out the tunnel at half time after Mac Jones throws two ints going to be crazy https://t.co/Esh7aunf0I
— NPC (@lyrrad__) May 11, 2023
Though these comments from fans are certainly jokes, rumors have continued to swirl that Brady could potentially come out of retirement and return to the NFL once again despite his retirement earlier this year. But if Brady is willing to commit to celebrating his career in New England for Week One, that would seem to indicate he has no plans to come out of retirement.