Tom Brady has finally spoken out about his future as a commentator on Fox Sports, insisting he isn't going anywhere despite calls for him to be fired by the network.
The legendary NFL quarterback, who is now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, has faced criticism in recent weeks over an alleged conflict of interest in his role with Fox.
Following the firing of Antonio Pierce, Brady has reportedly played an integral role in the Raiders' search for a new head coach in recent weeks, having conducted interviews with a number of potential candidates.
His heavy involvement in the Las Vegas recruiting process has led many to question his impartiality as a Fox commentator; including when he worked Saturday's Commanders-Lions game, not long after interviewing then-Detroit OC Ben Johnson.
But despite the outcry over combining the two positions, Brady has ruled out an early exit from Fox in one season of his 10-year, $375 million contract.
During an appearance on the FS1 show 'The Herd', host Colin Cowherd initially teased him: 'If everything I read on the internet is true, it breaks my heart that we only got to work together for a year. You're already leaving. It's really hard for me. I don't know where you're going, but you're leaving.'
Tom Brady insists he won't be giving up his role as a Fox commentator anytime soon
“I thought it was a great run, a solid year,” Brady joked before discussing the controversy more seriously.
“I don't know where it came from,” he said. “I know there's always 'sources close to Brady' or whatever, but I had the best time at Fox and I loved every time I went into the booth and worked with such great people.
'To see what it's like from a different perspective: I've played on the field for so many years, I've watched so many games from the sidelines, now I'm up there in the booth and I'm watching it from a different perspective, and I enjoyed it of the whole process of diving into all these different teams. It has been enormous growth for me in one year.
“I really can't wait to see what it looks like in year two and well beyond. I have nine years left on my deal and maybe longer, you never know…
“If Fox wants me and I want to go [on]We'll just keep going because it's been a lot of fun so far.'
Brady and his fellow Raiders chiefs have interviewed or will interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and ex-New York Jets coach Robert Saleh and Johnson.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the seven-time Super Bowl winner would favor Johnson after falling “in love” with him.
Brady's alleged conflict of interest in his role at Fox Sports has been a controversial topic
The legendary quarterback is also an influential minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders
But Brady told Colin Cowherd he has no plans to end his 10-year Fox contract early
However, he suffered a huge blow earlier this week when the Lions offensive coordinator left Detroit to instead become head coach of the Chicago Bears.
Raiders owner Mark Davis recently revealed that Brady will have a “big say” in the future of the franchise, but former MLB executive Davis Samson insists he cannot hold such a position while working as a commentator for Fox.
“Tom Brady is running that team right now — the NFL knows it and Fox knows it and something has to be done. So enjoy Tom in the booth because you won't see him there again next year,” Samson told the Dan Le Batard Show.
“He will be in the Raiders front office, he will not return as an analyst for Fox – you can't be that involved in the running of a team and be the No. 1 analyst.
'What he is doing is an absolute insult to analysts. And it's an insult to the team president what he's doing.
“You end up doing them both in a mediocre way… and I promise you he'll choose the Raiders.”
Last week, radio host Dan Patrick also accused the NFL of “bending over backwards” to help Brady.
The New England Patriots legend won a record seven Super Bowls during his iconic career
“The NFL is doing everything they can to help Tom Brady, it feels like… I don't think the NFL wants him out of the broadcast booth, I think they want him there,” he said.
“He's got the Lions game with the Commanders. What happens if they leave Ben Johnson on the sidelines?”
“Can Raiders minority owner Tom Brady talk about Ben Johnson? Does he have inside information? Which I believe he would do.
“I love how the NFL makes it seem like this isn't a conflict of interest…how often do you listen to a game where you're going to read, maybe an ulterior motive?”
