It’s official: the Tom Brady tribute tour still isn’t done. But if the latest news is anything to go by, then it’s just getting started. The Patriots will unveil a 12-foot statue of their ‘favorite son’ on August 8. That’s right before their preseason opener against the Commanders at Gillette Stadium. “It’s a fitting way to honor everything he meant to this franchise,” Robert Kraft had said last summer during Brady’s Hall of Fame induction. That promise is now set in stone.

Meanwhile, the announcement came alongside a Brady highlight reel. With a reminder of what two decades of dominance looked like: six Super Bowl rings, three league MVPs, and a legacy that turned a sixth-round pick into a football immortal. This will be the third consecutive year the Patriots have honored Brady post-retirement. In 2023, there was a halftime ceremony in Foxborough. In 2024, his formal induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Now, in 2025, a statue.

But here’s the twist: for the first time since joining FOX as an analyst, we would see Brady on a CBS broadcast. Why? Well, it’s not because it’s over with FOX. I mean, a 10-year bond, worth $375 million, doesn’t fade away like that. Instead, it’s because CBS is carrying the Patriots-Commanders preseason matchup. That’s the only reason for the crossover. So yes, Tom Brady—Mr. FOX is making a one-night-only switch.

It’s also a schedule coincidence too perfect to ignore. The Commanders happen to be in town for what is otherwise just a standard preseason game—unless you’re honoring the NFL’s most decorated quarterback in front of a sold-out home crowd. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m., and with CBS on the call, expect Brady to appear in some form, whether in the booth, on the broadcast, or sideline mic’d-up.

As for the Commanders, the game marks the start of the sophomore season for Jayden Daniels, alongside Pats’ Drake Maye. Both had their rookie season on the opposite end of the spectrum, but a fresh season means it starts from ZERO. So, maybe there’s a preseason clash to look forward to. But, our guess, much of the attention will be on the shiny statue unveiling. Just GOAT things.

Tom Brady is learning the art of balancing

Tom Brady never did ‘normal’ in his playing career, and that theme has carried into retirement. The seven-time Super Bowl champ now wears two hats: lead NFL analyst for FOX and minority owner of the Raiders. That dual track may sound impressive on paper, but Awful Announcing’s Michael Grant notes, Brady hasn’t exactly proven he’s great at either. “To be the best, you need to have a singular focus,” Grant writes. Right now, Brady’s juggling, not dominating.

Well, that’s true until you re-read the name. It’s Tom Brady. So, maybe, that’s why the fans’ expectations are through the roof. Especially for those who are tuning in expecting insight from the greatest quarterback ever, they are hearing something closer to polite commentary. He’s said he’s “not interested in critiquing players.” Especially Patrick Mahomes. That’s honest, sure, but it’s also deflating. This isn’t a booth gig at your college radio station. FOX paid for the GOAT’s perspective, not his diplomacy.

That’s exactly what Shannon Sharpe said, “Is that you don’t make excuses. If Patrick Mahomes make a bad throw, say Patrick Mahomes made a bad throw. If a guy doesn’t play well, it’s your obligation because you know what the casual fan at home doesn’t know.”

But maybe there’s a reason why he won’t be able to do it. Brady reportedly had input on hiring Pete Carroll and GM John Spytek, not to mention influence over player moves like drafting Ashton Jeanty and trading for Geno Smith. So, how do you fairly critique a league you’re actively helping shape? Brady’s insider access risks dulling his edge in the booth. And if you’re a Raiders fan, you might wonder whether your team is getting a part-time boss. Add in the AFC West gauntlet—rivalries, Pat himself, a revived Broncos team, and a Chargers squad on the rise—and Las Vegas can’t afford half-measures. If the Raiders crash, the spotlight shifts to Brady’s balancing act.

Of course, this is Tom Brady we’re talking about. Confidence? Never lacking. Recently, he said he won’t reject an opportunity for flag football in the 2028 Olympics. “If you put a football in my hand, then watch out,” he joked recently. The competitive fire is still there, just scattered. While Brady once rewrote what it means to be a quarterback, his next legacy test is underway. Let’s see how long he can keep both jobs in play before he finally has to choose.