Tom Brady, despite stepping away from the football field, maintains a watchful eye over the current state of the NFL. However, the legendary quarterback hasn’t been overly impressed with what he’s observed this season.
In a recent appearance on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion expressed dissatisfaction with the present quality of play in the NFL. Brady voiced concerns about what he perceives as a prevalence of mediocrity, comparing it unfavorably to the excellence he witnessed in earlier times.
The quarterback attributed this decline in quality to various factors. He critiqued the coaching standards, the development of young players, and the diminished quality of strategic game plans. Brady also raised concerns about how rule changes have fostered unfavorable habits within the game, resulting in what he believes to be a subpar product.
Reflecting on his extensive career spanning 23 years with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady highlighted the increased scrutiny around rules like roughing-the-passer and unnecessary roughness. He referenced instances where rule interpretations impacted the game’s outcome, particularly recalling a contentious roughing-the-passer call during a game between the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons.
Brady delved deeper into the impact of rules on player conduct, emphasizing the need for offensive players to protect themselves while asserting that defensive players should prioritize self-preservation. He lamented the current state of regulation in today’s game, contrasting it with his time on the field.
Moreover, Brady noted how teams used to focus on fundamental aspects of the game, emphasizing the importance of players evading tackles. However, he suggested that today’s game tends to excessively regulate these fundamental aspects, which he sees as a departure from the past.
Brady’s commentary prompted reactions from others within the NFL community, including Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson, who shared a video of Brady’s interview, seemingly endorsing the quarterback’s sentiments. This came after Jackson faced a suspension for violating player safety rules, shedding light on the ongoing debate regarding player conduct and the evolving nature of the game.
Former Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman echoed sentiments aligning with Brady’s observations, pointing out perceived shifts in the game’s essence, where certain styles of play once celebrated are now deemed problematic. The ongoing conversation underscores the continual evolution and scrutiny surrounding player conduct and the NFL’s rules.
