Tom Brady Shuts Down Comeback Rumors as Raiders Spiral, While Philip Rivers Returns for Playoff Push with Colts
For years, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers were two of the NFL’s most competitive quarterbacks-dueling across conferences, trading playoff heartbreaks and highlights. But while both eventually stepped away from the game-Rivers in 2020, Brady in 2023-one of them is back under center. And it’s not the one wearing a gold jacket in waiting.
Philip Rivers has returned to the NFL, suiting up once again for the Indianapolis Colts to finish out the 2025 season. It’s a surprising twist in a year full of quarterback shakeups. But while Rivers is chasing a postseason run, Tom Brady is staying put-on the sidelines and in the owner’s box.
Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has been watching his team unravel from a front-row seat. The Raiders are in a free fall, riding an eight-game losing streak and sitting at the bottom of the AFC West.
Geno Smith, brought in to stabilize the quarterback position, is having one of the toughest stretches of his career. The offense has sputtered, the defense has struggled to keep pace, and the team’s young talent-most notably running back Ashton Jeanty-hasn’t developed as hoped.
With the Raiders already eliminated from playoff contention, fans and analysts alike have floated the idea: Could Brady pull a Rivers and suit up again? After all, the quarterback carousel in Vegas isn’t exactly spinning smoothly, and Brady has never been one to shy away from a challenge.
Brady addressed the speculation, admitting that he still believes he could compete at the highest level. But he also made it clear-if he were to return, he’d need at least a month to get into game shape.
And with the Raiders’ season effectively over, there’s little incentive for a comeback now. Unlike the Colts, who are still in the playoff hunt, the Raiders are playing for pride-and maybe for jobs.
Head coach Pete Carroll is feeling the heat as the season winds down. Hired to bring veteran leadership and accountability to a team in transition, Carroll now finds himself squarely on the hot seat. The Raiders’ collapse has been comprehensive-underwhelming on offense, inconsistent on defense, and visibly lacking direction.
Next up for Las Vegas? A matchup against a surging Houston Texans squad that’s playing some of its best football. It’s a tough draw for a team already reeling, and it’s hard to imagine things turning around in time to salvage anything meaningful from this season.
As for Brady, his focus remains on ownership and the long-term vision for the franchise. The competitor in him may still flicker, but don’t expect a uniform change anytime soon. Rivers may be back in the huddle, but Brady’s comeback-for now-remains a fantasy.