Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about the league he just retired from in an interview with Stephen A. Smith.
While speaking with Smith on his self-named show, Brady lamented on how he feels the quality of play in the league has dipped over the years compared to where it was when he was playing at his prime with the New England Patriots.
To Brady, NFL play has fallen to a level of “mediocrity” where the coaching isn’t as sharp and the players aren’t as good. Those are some strong words!
“I think there’s a lot of mediocrity in today’s NFL,” Brady shared. “I don’t see the excellence that I saw in the past… I think the coaching isn’t as good as it was. I don’t think the development of young players is as good as it was. The rules have allowed a lot of bad habits to get into the actual performance of the game. So I just think the product, in my opinion, is less than what it’s been.”
He also talked about how he feels player protection isn’t properly coached for the individual sides of the ball that need protecting. It’s a fascinating perspective, if a fairly controversial one, considering who it’s coming from.
“I think there’s a lot of mediocrity in today’s NFL” – @TomBrady pic.twitter.com/xyZ1q3ztUg
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 21, 2023
Brady’s commentary will continue to be a lighting rod for conversation because of the impact he had on the game while he was playing.
Now that he’s stepped away from the gridiron and is taking more of a commentative approach to the NFL, it’ll be fascinating to hear him continue to offer his takes, hot or not.
There’s an inescapable framing of “it’s not as good as when I used to do it” that sometimes follows these comments, but Brady’s words are contemplative all the same.
NFL fans had plenty of thoughts on Brady's comments.
the irony is they made those rules to protect players like him and peyton to make it a throwing league https://t.co/43xRkF0rl3
— feeno (@ArianFoster) November 21, 2023
Brady rn https://t.co/dCASPDFKyH pic.twitter.com/HM49WsnjsK
— Ryan Gonzalez (@RyGo_17) November 21, 2023
Tom Brady says it all right here. Players don’t know how to protect themselves anymore because they assume the refs will do it for them. Encourages reckless play calling, poor offensive decision making and actually puts them in more danger. Also leads to bad football. https://t.co/lWoOLYkGGs
— Nate Jackson (@NathanSerious) November 21, 2023
BINGO! And if the NFL product is becoming mediocre then imagine what we’re seeing on Friday and Saturday nights! Lack of development and complacency is watering down the game https://t.co/qPcRQTI20t
— Radir Annoor (@Radir_Annoor) November 21, 2023
I’m sorry but this is so obnoxious
One year out of the league and suddenly calling everyone mediocre https://t.co/4VgsMoJzeK
— dalton (@daltonjbrown) November 21, 2023
Pastor Tom Brady with the Gospel! https://t.co/w1Vyyudkqo
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) November 21, 2023
Remember when people said Tom wouldn’t be good as an announcer lol https://t.co/Ils02Nr1v7
— Cole Adams (@coleadamss) November 21, 2023
59 seconds of nothing but facts https://t.co/JHuZeCcN8A
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 21, 2023
He’s speaking facts about the NFL product..it’s been nasty for the most part https://t.co/GinEyFZWjC
— Jonathan Marshall (@Jon_Marshall3) November 21, 2023
This is the realest thing I've heard in a while. https://t.co/SGowx2uTav
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 21, 2023
I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, BUT, I actually agree with everything Tom said. Plus,
Brady played for how long, won how many games/Super Bowls!
He knows a thing or two. 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/6b9HvF2aLD
— Jeremy (@JKMJXH3) November 21, 2023
I’m sooo glad he said this, because if I said it everybody would be at my neck .. but this is FACTS 💯 https://t.co/7kiW74Kg6J
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 21, 2023
