Even in retirement, Tom Brady just can’t help himself when it comes to taking a shot-however subtle-at the New York Jets.
Brady, now 48 and a few years removed from his final NFL snap, made an appearance in the new 2026 documentary Rise of the 49ers, which chronicles the legacy of the San Francisco franchise he grew up idolizing in San Mateo, California. In the film, Brady reflects on his upbringing as a 49ers fan and drops a line that, while offhanded, lands like a familiar jab in the direction of Gang Green.
“I don’t think I could’ve been what I was if I grew up rooting for the Jets,” Brady says.
It’s classic Brady-dry delivery, but the sting is real. And for the Jets, it’s just another reminder of the torment he brought to the franchise over two decades of dominance.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Brady owned the Jets. Over the course of his career, he posted a 30-7 record against them, regularly turning matchups into masterclasses.
The numbers are staggering-9,059 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, just 16 interceptions. That’s not just efficiency; that’s control.
And it wasn’t just about the stats. It was the way he always seemed to have the answer, the killer instinct, the ability to crush hope before it had a chance to breathe.
While Brady stacked rings-seven in total, including three after the Jets’ last playoff appearance-the Jets have been stuck in a holding pattern. Their last trip to the postseason came in 2010, a season where they went 11-5 and made it to the AFC Championship Game.
That was 16 years ago. Since then?
A revolving door at quarterback, front office resets, and a whole lot of what-ifs.
Brady’s dominance over New York wasn’t just a product of scheme or supporting cast-it was psychological. He was the constant.
No matter the Jets’ momentum, no matter the hype, Brady was the wall they couldn’t climb. And now, even in retirement, he’s still throwing shade-because, frankly, he’s earned the right to.
Whether you love him or hate him, Brady’s résumé against the Jets is bulletproof. And his latest comment, tucked into a nostalgic documentary about his childhood team, is a reminder of just how deep that rivalry ran-even if it was mostly one-sided.
So yes, Tom Brady is done playing. But clearly, he’s not done winning.