Ian Eagle makes bold prediction about Tom Brady as broadcaster

Well-known play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle believes recently retired quarterback Tom Brady could eventually become a hit in the broadcast booth. 

"Tom is extremely likable, extremely smart, extremely insightful," Eagle said on the latest edition of the "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" podcast. "I think he has a chance to be great at this if he wants to do this and truly do it full-time. This guy hasn’t done anything poorly. Anything he puts his mind to, he’s gonna do well. If he puts the time and effort in like I think he will, he’s gonna wanna be the best at it." 

Brady's future has repeatedly generated sports headlines this winter since even before he announced his latest retirement on Feb. 1. The seven-time Super Bowl champion and Fox agreed to a 10-year deal reportedly worth $375 million in 2022 that will make him the company's lead NFL analyst whenever he wants, but he announced earlier this month he's taking a "gap year" and won't begin his broadcasting career before 2024. 

Meanwhile, Fox's Greg Olsen became arguably the most popular No. 1 NFL analyst on all of network television this past season. Olsen "warned" Brady and Fox that he is "not gonna roll over and die" just to lose his seat to the all-time great signal-caller. 

Eagle admitted Brady will immediately attract criticism if he replaces Olsen because some fans simply don't like TB12 and many have grown to enjoy the partnership of Olsen and play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt.

"But he’s dealt with a lot worse," Eagle added about Brady. "I don’t think that it’s something he would lose a whole lot of sleep over."

Eagle did, however, seem to wonder if Brady will be fully dedicated to his new career as soon as next year. 

"I think the part he’s gonna have to determine is if he’s all in," Eagle told Traina. "If you're all in, then, this, not to say it consumes every part of your being, but knowing him, he’ll wanna be great, and being great requires you to put the time and effort in." 

Eagle's comments are interesting considering the NFL community didn't even make it through the end of February without one in-the-know individual linking Brady with a second unretirement and a move to the San Francisco 49ers. Needless to say, there continue to be numerous questions about Brady's career plans for 2023, let alone 2024.