Tom Brady is calling Fox’s broadcast of the Commanders-Lions NFC divisional-round playoff game Saturday night. He’s also considering Detroit’s two coordinators for the Raiders’ head coach position—maybe even trying to lure one of them.
Is that a conflict of interest?
The “Brady Rules” that were created when the seven-time Super Bowl champion became a part-owner of the Raiders on top of his $375 million gig with Fox’s No. 1 NFL team haven’t slowed down the future Hall of Famer on TV, but they are coming under the biggest spotlight yet this postseason.
Brady can’t take part in traditional announcer perks like attending production meetings and team practices or entering team facilities. However, nothing is preventing him from speaking to other teams’ coaches on his own, which he has done.
The Raiders have already conducted virtual interviews with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Raiders majority owner Mark Davis previously said Brady would have a “huge” say in the future direction of the team—and he is reported to be heavily involved in both the coach and GM search.
This week, Johnson said the only time he has ever met Brady in person was at Lambeau Field during pregame warmups before the Lions-Packers Week 6 game, which Brady called for Fox.
Brady could reach out to Johnson—rumored to be the top candidate for Las Vegas—or Glenn again ahead of Saturday’s game and certainly could cross paths with them before kickoff at Ford Field.
What Will Brady Say?
It will be interesting to see whether Brady addresses Johnson’s or Glenn’s interviews with the Raiders.
When Fox aired the Eagles-Buccaneers game in Week 4, Brady gave his thoughts on some comments Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield had made about Brady’s leadership style while playing for the Bucs. This situation is very different, though.
Brady did not call a Raiders game this year, but he did work a game involving the AFC West rival Chiefs and conducted a sit-down interview with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
To close out his first season at Fox, Brady will call the NFC championship game and Super Bowl LIX.
