Tom Brady isn’t picking sides in this year’s Super Bowl - and that’s turning a few heads in New England.
The legendary quarterback, who built his dynasty with the Patriots and delivered six Lombardi Trophies to Foxborough, stirred up some noise earlier this week when he said he doesn’t “have a horse in the race.” For a guy so closely tied to the franchise’s golden era, many assumed Brady would be all-in on the Patriots if they made a run. But as it turns out, things are a little more complicated now.
Brady addressed the situation on Friday, offering some clarity - and a little perspective. While he reaffirmed his lifelong bond with the Patriots, he also pointed to his current role with the Las Vegas Raiders. As a minority owner, Brady has a vested interest in the franchise’s future, and that future now includes Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks' offensive coordinator who’s set to become the Raiders’ next head coach after the season.
“Obviously I said I was a Patriot for life, and I meant it,” Brady said, via sportswriter Dan Kelley. “So the success of that franchise always brings me great happiness. Have a lot of love and respect for the Kraft family, Josh McDaniels, Mike Vrabel, and other members of their organization as well.”
That part’s not surprising. Brady’s roots with the Patriots run deep, and he’s never shied away from showing love to the people who helped shape his career. But his next comments revealed why he’s not exactly pledging allegiance to one team this postseason.
“As a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, we just hired Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to be our next head coach,” Brady continued. “I’ve gotten to know Klint and have great respect and appreciation for the job he does.
So if he wins, I would be very happy for him as well. Tough to root against the guy I just hired to be my next head coach!”
That’s the balancing act Brady’s walking right now - one foot in his storied past, the other planted firmly in the Raiders’ future. And while some fans, including a vocal Dave Portnoy, may have expected a more full-throated endorsement of the Patriots, Brady’s approach makes sense when you consider the broader picture.
He’s not just a retired quarterback anymore. He’s part of the ownership structure in Vegas, helping shape the next era of Raiders football. And when you’ve just tapped a rising offensive mind like Kubiak to lead your team, it’s tough not to root for the guy - even if it means staying neutral in a game where your old team’s involved.
“At the end of the day, I will be happy regardless,” Brady said.
It’s a classic Brady move - measured, thoughtful, and focused on the bigger picture. He’s not abandoning New England.
He’s just acknowledging that the game’s changed for him. And while he might not be waving a Patriots flag this February, don’t mistake that for a lack of loyalty.
The rings, the records, the memories - those are forever.
But now, he’s also got a front-row seat to a new chapter in Las Vegas. And like any good owner, he’s hoping the guy he just hired shows the league what he’s made of.