The NFL’s restrictions on Tom Brady, balancing his role as a Raiders minority owner and Fox’s lead NFL analyst, are under scrutiny as he prepares to call Saturday’s Lions playoff game against the Commanders.

Brady, in the first year of his $375 million Fox contract, will analyze player performance and coaching decisions, inevitably including Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn.

Both are candidates for the Raiders’ head coach position, creating potential conflicts of interest.

Brady’s minority ownership, approved in October, places him at the forefront of the Raiders’ coach and general manager search.

Johnson and Glenn, interviewed virtually by the Raiders on January 10 during the Lions’ bye week, are significant figures in the hiring process. Johnson, considered the leading candidate, has also drawn interest from the Bears and Jaguars.

His willingness to engage with the Raiders is largely attributed to Brady’s involvement with the team.

The proximity of Brady to Johnson and Glenn during the game, combined with his opportunity to evaluate them on air, has sparked debates over whether he should be allowed to call the game.

While some in the media have raised concerns, league insiders appear less troubled. One team executive dismissed the issue as insignificant.

However, Brady’s ability to remain impartial while assessing Johnson and Glenn is under the spotlight. Questions linger about whether he will offer candid critiques or avoid controversy to safeguard the Raiders’ hiring chances.

To address potential conflicts, the NFL has enforced several restrictions on Brady.

He cannot visit other teams’ facilities, attend practices, or participate in production meetings with players and coaches. He’s also barred from publicly criticizing teams or officials and must adhere to anti-tampering rules, limiting his interactions with coaches and players to social exchanges.

Despite these limitations, Brady is free to provide game analysis, including praise or criticism of performance. The league insists Saturday’s game will be treated like any other Brady has covered this season.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed no new restrictions have been imposed, emphasizing adherence to existing broadcast guidelines and anti-tampering policies.

The tampering rules, however, remain a focal point. Brady could potentially use his interactions with Johnson or Glenn to advocate for the Raiders, even subtly. While broadcasters typically engage in casual pregame conversations on the field, heightened scrutiny makes Brady’s actions more consequential.

Whether he approaches players or coaches before kickoff is uncertain, though McCarthy confirmed a “casual hello” would not violate the rules.

Johnson, addressing media inquiries, expressed no knowledge of any prohibitions on Brady speaking with him.

He recalled a brief encounter with Brady earlier in the season during the Lions-Packers game, describing their exchange as a short pregame greeting.

Brady’s dual roles—analyzing Johnson and Glenn on-air while serving as a key figure in the Raiders’ hiring process—pose a unique challenge.

His ability to navigate these overlapping responsibilities without crossing ethical lines will be closely observed.

The situation has amplified discussions around the balance of impartiality and influence in broadcasting, particularly when dual loyalties are involved.