Tom Brady unretiring looks dead in the water after fresh Jimmy Garoppolo update from Las Vegas Raiders

THE chances of Tom Brady U-turning on his NFL retirement appear slim after a positive injury update for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady, 45, hung up his cleats after 23 seasons on February 1.

2

2

Brady maintained that the decision was "for good" this time after initially retiring in February 2022.

The GOAT had changed his mind on that occasion, coming back for one more season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But shock reports from NBC Insider Mark Florio in May suggested Brady's recent investment in the Las Vegas Raiders could pave the way for a shock return.

The Raiders signed Garoppolo - Brady's former backup at the New England Patriots - to a three-year, $67.5million contract.

READ MORE ON TOM BRADY

But built into the deal was a clause that sought to protect the Raiders from Jimmy G's chequered injury history.

Garoppolo missed much of the 2022 season with the San Francisco 49ers due to a foot injury.

Per Florio, the clause meant the Raiders could cut the quarterback at any point until he passes a physical exam, is active for at least one regular-season game, and does not re-injure his foot during the 2023 season.

And Florio claimed that Garoppolo's contract structure made it "more viable" that Brady - who purchased a minority stake in the Raiders last month - could fill in for him.

Most read in Sport

Florio wrote: "Really, how does that potential trail of complete nuttiness not lead straight back to Brady?

"The other options [at quarterback] are Brian Hoyer, Aidan O'Connell, and Chase Garbers."

However, Garoppolo has now successfully passed his training camp physical exam, per ESPN, and appears well on the road to recovery.

Jimmy G underwent successful surgery in the offseason but is yet to return to contact training.

His status for the new season looks up in the air, with a source telling ESPN the quarterback will work back to practice "at the right pace."

But any chance of a Brady comeback due to the unusual circumstances now looks extremely unlikely.

Brady has enjoyed a summer away from football for the first time in two decades, taking his kids on vacations to Disney World and Europe.

The quarterback has signed a bumper ten-year, $375million broadcast deal with Fox Sports.

He is expected to sit out the upcoming season and begin analyst duties in 2024.

While last month, the NFL superstar revealed he has no plans to return anytime soon.

In an Instagram video, Brady said: "I'm certain I'm not playing again.

Read More on The US Sun

"I've tried to make that clear and I hate to continue to profess that.

"I've already told people that lots of times but I'm looking forward to my broadcasting job at FOX next year."