As we approach the player movement phase of the NFL offseason, a battle of sources has emerged between Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport regarding the unexpected meeting between Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. Schultz sparked the saga on Wednesday, revealing on X (formerly Twitter) that Brady had “hosted” Stafford on a ski trip in Montana, stating: “Sources: #Raiders minority owner Tom Brady recently hosted #Rams QB Matthew Stafford at his home in Montana, where they spent time together and went skiing. Brady has been actively trying to convince Stafford to join the Raiders, and discussions are ongoing,” Schultz wrote. “Several teams are interested in Stafford if the Rams decide to move him, with Las Vegas believed to be the most aggressive suitor.”
Sources: #Raiders minority owner Tom Brady recently hosted #Rams QB Matthew Stafford at his home in Montana, where they spent time together and went skiing. Brady has been actively trying to convince Stafford to join the Raiders, and discussions are ongoing.
Several teams are… pic.twitter.com/Jo9xxw2M6e
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 26, 2025
In response, Rapoport quickly reported that while the two did meet in Montana, they merely “ran into each other.” He stated: “#Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and #Rams QB Matthew Stafford ran into each other at a ski resort in Montana, sources say. The meeting, unplanned, was not extensive or in-depth and did not include Brady ‘hosting’ or ‘recruiting’ Stafford, despite reports saying otherwise.”
#Raiders minority owner Tom Brady and #Rams QB Matthew Stafford ran into each other at a ski resort in Montana, sources say.
The meeting, unplanned, was not extensive or in-depth and did not include Brady “hosting” or “recruiting” Stafford, despite reports saying otherwise. pic.twitter.com/eUucyxzxsW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2025
Schultz later reiterated his original post without directly naming Rapoport, suggesting his comments were aimed at discrediting the claim of a coincidental encounter. He remarked: “If you really think Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford just happened to run into each other at a ski resort in Montana — of all places — at the exact same time, I’ve got a bridge to sell you,” Schultz stated. “They were together over the weekend — it happened. Multiple teams are interested in Stafford, and Brady has been leading the charge to get him to the Raiders if the Rams decide to trade him.”
If you really think Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford just happened to run into each other at a ski resort in Montana — of all places — at the exact same time, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
They were together over the weekend — it happened. Multiple teams are interested in… https://t.co/5UiU4lVoal
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 26, 2025
Notably, Schultz is a Fox reporter, while Brady serves as the lead NFL commentator for Fox in addition to being a minority owner of the Raiders. Tom Pelissero, who collaborates with Rapoport at NFL Network, defended his colleague, stating: “Reached for comment about an Internet rumor that Tom Brady hosted Matthew Stafford on a recruiting visit in Montana, Brady’s longtime agent Don Yee told me: ‘I know that reporters sometimes make mistakes in their haste, but this story’s inaccurate,’” Pelissero wrote.
Reached for comment about an Internet rumor that Tom Brady hosted Matthew Stafford on a recruiting visit in Montana, Brady’s longtime agent Don Yee told me: ‘I know that reporters sometimes make mistakes in their haste, but this story’s inaccurate.’
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 26, 2025
Rapoport countered, noting that encountering a pair of “high-profile people” in a ski community is not far-fetched: “Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford, like many other high-profile people, both own houses in the same ski community,” he stated.
Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford, like many other high-profile people, both own houses in the same ski community. https://t.co/rMKmmFSwSB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025
Furthermore, during an appearance on NFL Insiders, Rapoport reaffirmed his position: “Let’s talk about the Matthew Stafford situation. Obviously, some of the focus was on the Tom Brady interaction,” he said. “And yes, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford did bump into each other at Yellowstone in Montana, apparently skied together. That seemed to be the end of it.”
From The Insiders in Indy: A look at where the situation stands for the #Rams, QB Matthew Stafford, the #Giants, and the #Raiders. pic.twitter.com/Lc2xprZQnt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025
If you close your eyes and focus for a few seconds, you might hear the theme to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly off in the distance.
