Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady has made it clear that he does not plan on returning to the NFL. However, that hasn’t stopped one sportsbook from posting odds on him potentially changing his mind.
While Brady is no longer an NFL player, he is still going to be around the league. He purchased a minority stake of the Las Vegas Raiders organization earlier this month, pending confirmation from the rest of the league’s owners.
This along with increased concerns about Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his foot injury has created speculation about Brady potentially stepping back into the NFL to be the Raiders quarterback if needed.
Details of Garoppolo’s contract in Las Vegas emerged earlier this week, with the Raiders putting a waiver and release clause into the contract. This means that they can potentially release him without penalty if he fails to pass a physical ahead of the NFL regular season.
This news has created a betting market on Brady potentially returning to the NFL in Las Vegas. SportsBettingAG released odds on the Raiders’ Week 1 starting quarterback if Garoppolo ism’t under center. Brady was listed at 2-1, the best odds of any other player listed by the sportsbook. If Garoppolo were to start, the bet would be voided.
#Raiders Week 1 starting QB odds if not Jimmy G per @SportsBettingAG:
Tom Brady 2-1
Brian Hoyer 5-2
Matt Ryan 3-1
Nick Foles 6-1
Aidan O'Connell 7-1
Carson Wentz 7-1
Andy Dalton 10-1
Bridgewater 12-1
Brissett 14-1
Flacco 20-1
Cam Newton 33-1
Luck 50-1
Kaepernick 100-1— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) May 28, 2023
It’s pretty wild that this sportsbook has Brady more likely to start in Week 1 for the Raiders if Garoppolo doesn’t than players actually on the active roster including Brian Hoyer and Aiden O’Connell.
If Garoppolo were to be released by the Raiders, there would be some pretty huge obstacles for Brady to come in and play for the Raiders if he even wants to.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk discussed this possibility on Sunday. He explained that Brady would need a unanimous vote from the league owners in order to be allowed to join the team’s roster after becoming an owner.
It seems highly unlikely that this scenario ever happens, but those who see it as a possibility now have a place to sportsbook to place a bet on it.
