The NFL is yet to approve the agreement, and the league’s approval could scupper any hopes of Brady returning.

“I don’t know if they are going to let me [return as a player] if I become an owner of an NFL team,” Brady said.

“I’m always going to be in good shape. I’ll always be able to throw the ball.

“So, to come in for a little bit, like MJ [basketball legend Michael Jordan] coming back, I don’t know if they would let me but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

Brady is the NFL’s all-time regular-season leader in pass attempts (12,050), completions (7,753), passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).

He was named the season’s Most Valuable Player three times and has been the Super Bowl MVP a record five times.