Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is coming off a historic rookie season.
Besides leading his team to the playoffs, Stroud proved that he was undoubtedly the best rookie quarterback of the 2023 draft class.
Having said that, there are some who feel that quarterbacking is “easier” than ever, especially for young QB’s.
You can count Tom Brady as one who believes that all of the rule changes along with “dumbed-down” offenses that many teams implement are the reasons why some younger quarterbacks seem farther along than they really are.
Brady explained his feelings during an appearance on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early,” Brady remarked, emphasizing the weight of responsibility these players face. “The reality is the only reason why they are is that we’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play.”
It’s not the quarterbacks’ fault that they’re being thrown into the fire so early. It’s also not their fault that offenses are being simplified for their benefit. The only thing that matters is if it works or not.
Having said that, Brady explained that overall quarterback development takes a massive hit when this is the approach.
“We used to spend hours and hours in the offseason, in training camp, trying to be a little bit better the next year,” Brady said.
“But I think what happens is it discourages the coaches from going to deep levels because they realize the players don’t have the opportunity to go to a deep level, so they’re just going to teach them where they’re at.”
The pressure to start rookies early is not without reason.
NFL coaches and front office personnel often operate under tight job security, with immediate success being a critical factor.
This pressure leads to young, inexperienced quarterbacks being thrust into starting roles earlier than might be ideal, as teams seek quick returns on their draft investments.
Additionally, the financial advantage of having a starting quarterback on a cost-controlled rookie contract has driven teams to accelerate their young prospects’ development.
Brady, however, believes the issue begins long before these players reach the NFL.
He pointed to changes in college football, particularly with the advent of NIL deals and the transfer portal, as contributing factors to the problem.
“There used to be college programs,” Brady observed. “Now, there are college teams. You’re no longer learning a program, you’re learning a playbook.”
Reflecting on his own college experience at Michigan, Brady highlighted the importance of being part of a “pro-style program” and the value of patient development.
“For five years, I got to learn how to drop back pass, to read defenses, to read coverages, to be coached,” Brady recalled. “I had to learn from being seventh quarterback on the depth chart to moving up to third to ultimately being a starter. I had to learn all those things in college. That was development.”
Brady credited the New England Patriots for continuing his development by effectively redshirting him during his rookie season, allowing him time to refine his skills as the team’s fourth quarterback. This gradual progression, he argued, was crucial to his eventual success.
Today, Brady wishes that young quarterbacks could be afforded similar opportunities to develop without being thrown into the fire too soon.
However, with the current structure of the NFL’s rookie salary scale, it seems unlikely that this trend will change anytime soon.
What are your thoughts on Brady’s comments???