Tom Brady kicked off his second season in the Fox Sports broadcast booth on Sunday with a familiar matchup and a familiar jab that sent fans into a frenzy.
While discussing the New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders game alongside Kevin Burkhardt, Brady quipped, “I think any Giants quarterback that doesn’t involve Eli Manning I like.”
The remark immediately drew laughter from his colleagues and reignited one of the NFL’s most memorable rivalries.
Fans quickly reacted online, with many joking that Manning is still “living rent-free” in Brady’s head years after both retired.
Revisiting the Brady-Manning Rivalry
Brady’s comment was a reminder of a few rare blemishes on his otherwise storied career. The quarterback amassed seven Super Bowl titles in 10 appearances, yet three losses clouded an otherwise perfect record, two of which came at the hands of Manning and the Giants: Super Bowl XLII in 2008 and Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
Super Bowl XLII remains iconic as the Giants ended the Patriots‘ perfect season with a 17-14 upset.
The defining moment was Manning‘s escape and precise throw to David Tyree for the unforgettable “Helmet Catch.” Four years later, Manning again led a late-game drive to defeat Brady‘s team 21-17, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in both contests.
The Giants became the only franchise to best Brady twice on football’s biggest stage.
Even after retirement, the rivalry persists in playful exchanges. In April, Brady opened a sports memorabilia store near MetLife Stadium, pricing every Manning card at $0, amusing fans and poking fun at the Giants’ legacy.
At a Fanatics event in June, he theatrically tore a Manning jersey on stage, prompting the former quarterback to jokingly tackle him backstage.
Brady retired from the NFL in 2023 and officially joined Fox Sports in 2024 after signing a 10-year, $375 million deal.
His debut season featured regular-season games, playoff coverage, and the Super Bowl broadcast. Early reviews were mixed but improved as Brady settled into his role as the network’s lead analyst.
Week 1 of the 2025 season marked Brady‘s first marquee assignment for the year: the Giants vs. Commanders matchup.
It was the perfect opportunity for him to inject insight, humor, and a little nostalgia, showing fans that while he may have moved on from personal relationships like his divorce from Gisele Bundchen, he still hasn’t forgotten the battles on the field-especially those involving Eli Manning.
For Brady, the NFL rivalry lives on, proving that even in retirement, some competitors never truly leave his mind.
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