NFL Analysis
Tom Brady Leaves an Open Spot on His Top Five NFL QBs
![Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speak at midfield after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)](https://b3288695.smushcdn.com/3288695/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2024/02/AP19343034773444.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Fanatics Fest 2024 took place August 16-18 in New York City. The event was touted as “a world where sports, culture, and collecting come together.” It featured memorabilia, card collecting, meet and greets with athletes, and much more. Among the special guests at the event was seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Brady participated in several aspects of the event. Among Fantatics Fest’s most discussed events was Tom Brady’s interview with Stephen A. Smith. Brady discussed the quarterback position in the NFL at length. He believes the NFL “dumbed down” the game to allow rookies to play. He cited a lack of development in the collegiate game, where players routinely transfer. This turns college programs into college teams and prevents the development of quarterbacks in the system.
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early,” Brady said. “But the reality is the only reason why they are is because we dumbed the game down, which has allowed him to play.”
There will be at least three Week 1 rookie quarterbacks starting this season. Caleb Williams (Bears), Jayden Daniels (Commanders), and Bo Nix (Broncos) were all named their team’s QB1. J.J. McCarthy appeared a solid bet to start for the Vikings before suffering a season-ending injury. The Patriots’ Drake Maye could still make it four.
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Tom Brady named his top five NFL quarterbacks. This received less attention than his comments on the development at the position but gave a good insight into what the GOAT believes NFL quarterbacks should be striving for.
Tom Brady’s Top Five NFL Quarterbacks
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was the first quarterback listed. The three-time Super Bowl champion is an obvious inclusion. Brady stated Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. He noted it wasn’t just Mahomes’ physical abilities, but h0w he endears himself to his teammates and coaches and handles himself off the field as a leader.
The next tier of quarterbacks mentioned were Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. He praised their consistency.
“I think, consistently, well, the guys that I see. I see Josh Allen as someone who always impresses me as a player.” Brady echoed those sentiments about the reigning NFL MVP. “I see Lamar Jackson, who always impresses me as a player.”
Brady’s fourth quarterback was Cincinnati Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow, who has already led his team to one Super Bowl appearance.
“I think that some different guys probably have different moments, but Joe Burrow is very impressive with how he throws the ball and leads the team,” Brady continued. “Again, another guy who’s got a great connection with his teammates.”
Before adding a fifth player, Brady said, “And then I think, I’ll leave it with those four.”
Tom Brady begins his career as an NFL analyst this season. Perhaps the diplomatic legend left open the spot so that every quarterback he meets with could believe they were number five. And if Drake Maye and the other rookie quarterbacks want to work their way onto such a list in the future, Brady has laid the groundwork. Be consistent, be a leader, and connect to teammates.