‘He’s the Enemy Now’ — Mike Florio Refuses to Hype Tom Brady’s Return to Foxborough for Packers-Patriots
Tom Brady’s run without calling a New England Patriots game is about to come to an end this weekend. As the Patriots get ready to face the Green Bay Packers, Brady is set to return to the stadium where he made his name.
It’s a place that still celebrates his legacy, with a statue of the legendary quarterback standing just outside one of the entrances. Mike Florio, however, isn’t getting carried away by Tom Brady’s return to Foxborough for the Packers-Patriots matchup.
Mike Florio Isn’t Buying Into the Hype Surrounding Tom Brady’s Return to Foxborough
Appearing on “NFL on NBC,” Florio called Brady an “enemy” of the Patriots, arguing that his limited stake in the organization gives him little incentive to act in its best interests. He also cited Brady’s ownership stake in the Raiders to reinforce his point.
“Hey, he’s the enemy. He’s the enemy now. And he (Tom Brady) said, “I don’t have a dog in the fight between the Seahawks and the Patriots.” Why would he? He is an owner of the Raiders. He’s all in with the Raiders.”
“And I could see his attitude being very simple,” Florio added. “Robert Kraft could have sold me a piece of the Patriots, and then I really would be still part of the family. But he is the enemy now. He’s a part owner of the team that they beat in the classic game that launched the dynasty.”
Since retiring from the NFL, Brady has made several ceremonial returns to Gillette Stadium. He was honored at the Patriots’ 2023 season opener, returned for his Patriots Hall of Fame induction in 2024, and was back again for the unveiling of his statue in 2025.
His plaque is also displayed in the nearby Hall of Fame museum. But this is no longer his Patriots team. His legacy is still very much a part of the place, but those days are behind him.
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While some fans may have hoped to see him back more often, his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders has likely played a part in keeping those visits limited. Now, his return feels like a real changing of the guard.
“It’ll certainly be emotional,” Brady told FOX’s Colin Cowherd earlier this week. “To be back there and to really understand what that Patriot organization is all about and to convey that to the fans in a way where I’m not talking about myself, but I’m really talking about this awesome program that’s been built – the Patriots just always seem to do things the right way.”
There’s also a bit of irony surrounding Brady’s return this weekend, as some believe the attention on him could take away from Rob Gronkowski’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction on Saturday.
Still, Brady’s presence at the ceremony wouldn’t come as a surprise, given the strong bond the two built during their time together in New England.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
