Topps Launches NFL Living Set with Josh Trout as Inaugural Artist and Tom Brady as Card 1
Topps has officially entered the NFL Living Set space, tapping artist Josh Trout to lead the line and placing Tom Brady at the top of the checklist.
What Happened
Topps launched the NFL Living Set, a new ongoing card program for football, and named Josh Trout as its inaugural artist. Tom Brady is Card 1 in the 2026 edition. Alongside the Living Set, Topps also launched a regular-season Topps NOW program for the NFL, bringing the on-demand release format to football.
Why Collectors Should Care
The NFL Living Set is a format collectors already know from baseball — an ongoing, artist-driven series where each card is only available for a limited window, and the checklist grows with the season. Topps choosing Josh Trout as the artist who sets the visual identity for the entire run matters: his style will define what these cards look like for however long the program runs, and Card 1 going to Tom Brady signals Topps is leading with legacy appeal rather than current-season stars. The simultaneous Topps NOW launch means collectors now have two distinct NFL on-demand pipelines to track: the artistic, numbered Living Set and the moment-driven NOW drops. How those two programs coexist — and whether the market treats them differently — is the real thing to watch as the season unfolds.
Questions Collectors Are Asking
Who is Josh Trout?
Josh Trout is the artist Topps selected as the inaugural creator for the NFL Living Set, meaning his artwork defines the visual style of the entire program from Card 1 forward.
Why is Tom Brady Card 1 if he is retired?
Topps has not stated a reason publicly, but leading with Brady is a clear signal that the NFL Living Set is positioning itself around legacy and historical significance, not just active-roster moments.
What is the difference between the NFL Living Set and Topps NOW?
The Living Set is an ongoing, artist-illustrated series where the checklist builds over time — the format Topps has used in baseball for years. Topps NOW is a separate on-demand program tied to specific in-season moments, with cards available for a short window after a notable performance or event. Topps launched both NFL programs simultaneously.
Sources
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