Tom Brady has received an invitation to return to the New England Patriots – but not necessarily as a player.

If Tom Brady wants to return to the New England Patriots this year, he would probably be welcomed with open arms in Boston.

As New England head coach Jerod Mayo told “WEEI”, he would welcome Brady’s comeback to Foxborough in any capacity.

“I love Tom and the door is always open if he wants to start coaching here,” Mayo said.

So Mayo definitely sees the “GOAT” as part of his coaching staff. But what would it look like if Brady decided to make a comeback as a player?

“I’m not sure about the on-field commitment,” Mayo said. “But if he comes back here and the motto is ‘The best player will play,’ let him do it and compete because he loves to compete.”

But Mayo knows the 46-year-old is very unlikely to return at quarterback. “I doubt he’ll be walking in that door anytime soon. “

Brady’s retirement was over a year ago. And even though the former star playmaker keeps flirting with the idea of returning to the NFL, Brady is running out of time.

Should he actually consider a return to the Patriots, the only option would probably be a place in the coaching team.

After all, New England and Mayo recently brought another former player on board

Patriots: Is Brady doing it like Slater?

About two months after his career ended, Matthew Slater took a job with the Patriots coaching staff.

Slater played for New England for over 15 years and won the Super Bowl three times with the Pats as a wide receiver. In the coming season, he will serve as the head coach’s right-hand man.

Slater and Mayo are said to be close confidants. Brady also knows both coaches well