Add current ESPN personality and former Fox Sports NFL analyst Troy Aikman to the list of celebrities who believe retired quarterback Tom Brady will eventually call the league’s games for Fox.
“The question is, is he going to do it? I think he has every intention of doing it,” Aikman said of the situation on the latest episode of the “Jimmy Traynor Sports Illustrated Media” podcast, as reported by Awful’s Brandon Contes announced. “I think he’s watching the games this year to see what he can learn. I’m sure at some point, if he hasn’t already, he’ll be in the truck or in the stands watching at some games.”
In the spring of 2022, after Brady unretired and returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he learned that he had signed a 10-year contract worth a reported $375 million that would allow him to become Fox’s lead NFL analyst for as long as he wanted. Although reports emerged last summer that Brady, who had come out of retirement, was taking a so-called “gap year” away from football to prepare for a new career he planned to begin next season, many have publicly expressed doubts that he would accept the offer due to various Reasons to have a full-time job on any network.
Just this week, Brady said he has completely closed the door on a second retirement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he expects to have to travel every week for a radio gig he doesn’t really need the money for. Aikman discussed this aspect of the job on the podcast.
“For him, it’s a decision where he has to ask himself where he is in his life, how much time does he not want to miss?” Aikman explained.
The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch noted in February that those who “have had production meetings with Brady on the television side” believe “he’ll be better at his job” than Skeptics expected better. Aikman repeated his statement while chatting with Traynor.
“I think he’s going to be great,” Aikman said of Brady. “Tom is one of those guys who excels in everything he does, he works hard, puts in the time and doesn’t take shortcuts.”
Interestingly, Aikman revealed that he has discussed becoming a broadcaster with Brady, but could not confirm that the seven-time Super Bowl champion will become a Fox employee next September. Regardless, Brady is a free agent and can sign with any team at any time, considering he’s not yet a limited partner with the Las Vegas Raiders.