Tom Brady hasn’t played in the NFL since 2022, but a return to the field might not be completely off the table. At least, that’s the view of Lars Anderson, the Brady biographer who wrote “Brady: An American Story and the Price of Greatness.”

Bridget Condon asked Anderson on “Front Office Sports Tonight” about potential regrets Brady may have. Anderson said Brady wanted an eighth ring, and the final stretch of his relationship with Gisele Bündchen potentially got in the way of that pursuit. The couple ended up splitting. According to Anderson, Brady would probably still be playing if he could do whatever he wanted, even at 49 years old.

“I do think that if Tom had his druthers, he would be playing right now, and I would not be shocked if he somehow tries to play next year,” Anderson said.

Several obstacles in the way

Brady will be 50 when the 2027 regular season kicks off, so pulling this off would be close to impossible. Since retiring, Brady himself has said a return is unlikely. Age is only one factor. He has been out of the game for a long time, and he is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Therefore, he would have to sell his stake in the team before stepping back on the field.

That’s a lot of problems. Nonetheless, it’s a fun exercise to think about which five teams could make sense if the veteran quarterback decides to come back next season.

Minnesota Vikings

The most obvious fit is Minnesota. The Vikings are 3-0, even though they lead the NFL in punts. Kyler Murray has struggled through his first stretch with the team, while the defense has been outstanding under Brian Flores.

If the Vikings keep Flores and that defense intact, adding a quarterback close to the version of Brady from 2022 could be a major upgrade. That could put Minnesota in position to compete for a Super Bowl.

The big aspect is the draft. The Vikings will probably be too good to pick a quarterback high in the first round next season. So, they could take a passer late in the first round or on Day 2 and add a veteran while the rookie develops. In that sense, Brady, or any experienced quarterback, would be an ideal piece.

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Atlanta Falcons

Okay, the 28-3 will never go away. But Atlanta has plenty of offensive talent. The Falcons started 1-2, but both losses came with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand at quarterback. When Michael Penix Jr. returned to the lineup, Atlanta scored 35 points and beat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

With Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and a good offensive line, a Brady who can still play at a reasonably high level would give the offense a massive boost. And the scenario would bring him back to the NFC South after he spent the final three seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

This one is curious because Aaron Rodgers is playing in Pittsburgh in what is the final year of his career. After Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers eventually turned to Rodgers, and Brady could be the next veteran in that line.

The complication is that Pittsburgh has invested mid-round picks at the position. The Steelers carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster: Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar. Brady would enter that equation to extend the developmental period for Howard and Allar before either one replaces Rodgers as the starter.

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Houston Texans

The Texans have a quarterback, so this scenario only works if they decide not to extend C.J. Stroud. He is in the fourth year of his rookie contract, which is essentially his last cheap season. In 2027, he will make $25.9 million on the fifth-year option.

If Houston passes on an extension, it could trade Stroud for a boatload of picks and then sign or draft his replacement, or add a veteran. Both options could happen at once. The Texans could draft a quarterback in the first round and sign Brady as the bridge for one season.

The defense would make that appealing. Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, and Derek Stingley Jr. headline one of the most talented units in football. Still, this is a highly unlikely scenario for every possible reason.

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Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are another long shot. They have a short-term answer in Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, and a long-term one in Ty Simpson, their first-round pick in 2026. Even if Stafford retires, Simpson would presumably be the succession plan.

However, if head coach Sean McVay believes Simpson isn’t ready to play in 2027, Los Angeles could add a veteran to protect his development. That would require Stafford to retire after the 2026 season and the Rams to want another year of patience with Simpson.

That’s a lot of ifs, and the biggest one is whether Brady actually wants to return at 50, which seems highly unlikely. But Brady has been the exception to almost every rule, and these five teams would be the logical landing spots for the first 50-year-old quarterback in NFL history.