Tom Brady stands immortalized outside Gillette Stadium with a towering 17-foot statue, his legacy cemented by six Super Bowl rings earned with the New England Patriots, and a fan base that venerates him almost religiously. Yet, just days before Super Bowl LX kicks off, the iconic quarterback has delivered a surprising message: he is not riding with them.
Brady's Neutral Stance on Patriots vs Seahawks Clash
On the latest episode of the "Let's Go!" podcast with host Jim Gray, Brady made it clear that he will not be supporting either the Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks when they face off on Sunday. Instead, he has publicly chosen what many perceive as the safest and most diplomatically awkward position for the greatest Patriot of all time.
Brady left no room for interpretation when Gray directly questioned his allegiance for the highly anticipated Patriots versus Seahawks matchup. "I don't have a dog in the fight in this one. May the best team win," Brady stated unequivocally on the podcast. He elaborated, "And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England, and I'm glad everyone's embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position. We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back and it's a very exciting time for everyone in New England."
Fan Reaction to Brady's 'No Dog in the Fight' Declaration
For a fan base that recently witnessed the unveiling of a massive six-ton statue honoring Brady outside Gillette Stadium in the summer of 2025, this response carries a particularly sharp sting. Patriots supporters have every reason to anticipate that their legendary quarterback would publicly lean towards New England in its first Super Bowl appearance since his departure. However, Brady is drawing a firm boundary between his illustrious past and his current professional life.
He refrained from discussing themes of payback, legacy, or offering sentimental support for his former team. Instead, Brady focused on the quality of the game itself. "I just wanna see good football. I wanna see good plays, good throws, good strategy, good decisions," he remarked. This perspective aligns perfectly with his current role as a lead analyst for FOX, presenting what many would describe as a very broadcaster-appropriate answer.
Brady's Evolving Roles and Professional Considerations
Tom Brady now occupies multiple significant positions within the NFL ecosystem. He serves as a lead analyst for FOX, holds a minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, and stands as an unofficial emblem of the modern NFL product. Adopting a neutral public stance allows him to maintain professional relationships across the league without alienating any faction.
The aspect that continues to resonate painfully in New England is that this neutrality does not come from a distant alumnus. Brady was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame just last year and watched as his statue was erected outside the stadium he helped transform into a Super Bowl dynasty. These connections remain vividly fresh in the minds of fans and the organization alike.
Brady's Perspective on Life Chapters and Team Affiliations
Brady's explanation underscores his view that his Patriots years represent a completed chapter rather than an ongoing commitment. "I think there's always different chapters in your life and you have different chapters and moments that you go through where you're affiliated with a certain team," Brady reflected. "At Michigan, and then I was with the Patriots for 20 years. I was with Tampa for three amazing years. I've been in broadcasting. Now I'm an owner of the Raiders."
Once he outlined this professional journey, his current stance becomes more comprehensible. "So those memories that I have are forever ingrained in me, and I'm indebted to all the people who worked so hard to help make our team successful," Brady added. "And now in a different phase in my life, I really root for people and the people I care about, the people who I know the work that goes into what they're trying to accomplish. So I really wanna sit back as a fan and enjoy the game, enjoy the moment."
He is no longer cheering for team colors or logos; he is supporting personal relationships and individual efforts. For numerous Patriots fans, this shift in loyalty is precisely the core of their disappointment.
Raiders Ownership and Coaching Ties Influence Brady's Neutrality
Brady's position extends beyond a simple desire for "good football." It is intricately linked to his current professional responsibilities and upcoming organizational developments. As a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, it becomes strategically complex for him to publicly endorse the Patriots over the Seahawks on a national platform. His business interests are now aligned with Las Vegas, not Foxborough.
Adding another layer to this scenario are the reports surrounding Seattle's offensive coordinator. Multiple media outlets have indicated that Klint Kubiak is anticipated to depart the Seahawks after the Super Bowl to assume the head coaching role for the Raiders. As part of the ownership group that approved this hiring, publicly rooting against Kubiak's current team just days before he joins the Raiders organization would be an imprudent business decision.
While Brady did not explicitly state this reasoning, the underlying logic is apparent. If the Seahawks emerge victorious, Kubiak arrives in Las Vegas with a new championship ring and enhanced credibility before a roster that hasn't secured a Lombardi Trophy since the early 1980s. Conversely, if the Seahawks lose, Brady avoids any associated backlash. In either outcome, maintaining neutrality allows him to remain in good standing with Raiders players, coaches, and supporters.
Brady's Balanced Praise for Patriots Connections
Simultaneously, Brady managed to express public support for individuals he knows well within the Patriots organization. He commended new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls alongside Brady as a linebacker in New England, and longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who played a pivotal role in three of Brady's championship campaigns.
"Josh McDaniels, who's been a great friend of mine as well," Brady noted. "And again, you root for people and you want them to have great performances." He is skillfully navigating a delicate balance: reassuring Patriots fans of his enduring respect for the people within the franchise, assuring Raiders fans that he isn't opposing their incoming coach, and demonstrating to the league office that he remains above partisan fervor.
The statement that truly encapsulates Brady's mindset in 2026 is not necessarily the headline-grabbing soundbite. It is this reflective comment: "I really root for people, and the people I care about," Brady affirmed. "I really want to sit back as a fan and enjoy the game, enjoy the moment and I always think, 'May the best team win.'"
