Tom Brady thinks that quarterback development in the NFL has regressed.
“I think it’s a tragedy that we’re pushing rookies to play so early, but the reality is the only reason we do that is because we’ve simplified the game, which has made it possible for them to play,” he said during a discussion with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, which aired on Monday.
“It used to be regarded at a much higher level. We used to dedicate hours and hours in the offseason and training camp to improving a little bit each year.
But now, I think it discourages coaches from delving deep, because they realize players don’t have the chance to go deep. So, they just teach them what they know.”
Brady began his NFL career as Drew Bledsoe’s backup with the New England Patriots, only becoming the full-time starter in his second season after Bledsoe was injured.
He also chose to stay at Michigan instead of transferring or leaving early for the NFL, and he attributed much of his development to that decision.
Tom Brady (Photo: Getty Images)
“Spending five years at Michigan, I learned how to drop back pass, read defenses, and coverages, and to be coached,” he said. “I had to deal with winning games, playing in Columbus, Ohio, in front of 110,000 people.
I moved from being the seventh QB on the depth chart to third, and eventually to starter. I had to learn all those things in college. That was development.”
This approach clearly benefited Brady, who went on to win seven Super Bowls and three MVP awards, making a case for one of the greatest careers in NFL history. However, he was also a sixth-round draft pick, not initially expected to revitalize a franchise like many high draft picks are today.
Players like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels don’t have the opportunity to sit behind a veteran like Bledsoe because teams like the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, who would be picking them with the Nos. 1 and 2 picks, wouldn’t be selecting them if they had stable quarterback situations.
Adjusting to the NFL may necessitate simplifying the playbook initially for rookies expected to start immediately.
Brady, drawing from his own experience, will likely bring these insights to his new role in media this season.
