Some in Broncos Country seem to think Denver would be a potential landing spot for #12 if he plays again...but I think we know the odds are not there.

In an interview on DeepCuts with VicBlends, legendary quarterback Tom Brady seemed to be teasing an NFL comeback in the form of a late-season backup option — should someone be injured and a team needs a playmaker immediately, he wouldn’t be against picking up the phone.

“I’m always going to be in good shape, always going to be able to throw the ball,” Brady shared, “So, to come in for a little bit, like M[ichael] J[ordan] coming back? I don’t know if they’d let me, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

This conversation has been trending since it happened, with some fans brainstorming where he might land, some others saying it’s not going to happen.

I find myself slightly in the middle, but leaning towards the latter camp.

The idea of Brady making a comeback, of course, shouldn’t be surprising; after all, he did retire twice before really hanging up his cleats (even then, it’s only been a season). When he officially stopped playing at 45, he’d gone on record as the fourth-oldest playing quarterback in history.

Moreover, a comeback could be positive for the Broncos, in a highly theoretical sense. Among other curious Denver fans, this idea was touched on by Denver Post columnist Troy Renck, who mentioned Brady’s previous connection with Payton when Dolphins owner Stephen Ross attempted to hire them both (and was fined for tampering).

In his write-up, Renck ventured: “Wouldn’t it be funny if Payton reached out to Brady, who would have Jarrett Stidham as his backup? Just like old times.”

The columnist did note, however, that even if Brady returned, it would likely be to the Patriots, the Raiders, or the 49ers, per DraftKings prediction. Brady himself mentioned the Patriots and Raiders by name.

Also acknowledged by Renck, though, the unlikelihood of this quarterback-to-the-rescue mission. I think the bigger picture comes into play when you examine Brady’s comments right before saying that he’d like to come back. The fact of the matter is that he’s set to be a commentator on Fox next year and, more importantly, he’s on track to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

It goes without saying that franchise owners are disallowed from playing on any team. Apart from that, his current plans certainly don’t point to the idea that he’d want to play for a division rival of the very team he’s trying to buy.

What do you think about this possibility? Could you see Brady returning to the NFL? To what team? Would you want him as a Bronco (if it was the slightest bit possible), or do you think we need fresher talent?

Personally, I think the seven-time champion’s most recent retirement announcement was his last — not even because of his age (let’s be real, he could probably play until after I’m retired, and I’m about twenty years younger than him with a job that’s not football), but because of the other things he has lined up. At the end of the day, he’s still very much a part of the NFL world, and I hope he enjoys exploring the different capacities he can fill now that he’s on the other side of football operations.