The seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady appeared on the “Stephen A. Smith Show” recently and claimed he thinks there’s a lot of mediocrity in today’s NFL. His observation was based on the level of coaching and refereeing this season.
"You're not that guy, pal!" – @Edelman11
🗣️ on Alex Smith calling out Tom Brady's comment about the 'mediocrity' in today's NFL pic.twitter.com/PKUjwlOUNX
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) December 14, 2023
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith seems to not agree at all with Brady’s recent comments that the quality of NFL play isn’t what it used to be or mediocrity.
On ESPN’s episode of Sunday NFL Countdown, Smith pushed back on Tom Brady’s recent comments. He on the contrary believes the game has improved, adding that “there’s more parity across the league” and “quarterback play is at an all-time high.”
Smith said in the broadcast,
“My biggest complaint to this and no offense to the three of you guys (fellow panelists). He played in the most uncompetitive division in NFL history. I mean, you come out of training camp in the biggest cupcake division, you got a ticket to the playoffs right away. Like, talk about mediocre.”
He added,
“I completely disagree with this. I know he’s talking about the rule over the middle over the field to the receiver. But in my opinion, the game has gotten better. There’s more parity across the league. Quarterback play is at an all-time high in the league. You’ve got the best athletes playing the position. We didn’t have this 30-40 years ago. And then, also he’s referencing offensive numbers are down. To me, I think we’re in a golden age of D-linemen.”
Brady on the other hand ended his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February after two decades with the New England Patriots.
Brady’s longtime favorite target and former New England wide receiver Julian Edelman stepped up to defend his quarterback.
Appearing on former teammate Cam Newton’s “4th And 1” podcast, the Super Bowl LIII MVP said Smith was not in a position to take shots at Brady.
He said,
“You can’t talk about him like that. Alex Smith is not even that guy, pal. He’s not even that kind of guy. He’s a nice guy. … You’re not the guy to talk about the G.O.A.T. like that.”
