Tom Brady credited this for helping him find success early on with the Patriots
"I could never have reached this area of growth that I needed to."
Tom Brady left the Patriots in 2020 with a resume that validated him as the greatest quarterback of all time.
But the future Hall of Famer was candid this week when discussing his first few years in the NFL ranks.
Even though Brady played an integral role in leading New England to a Super Bowl title as a second-year pro, he acknowledged on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd that he wouldn’t have achieved so much success early in his career without the supporting cast around him.
“I could never have reached this area of growth that I needed to. Whether it was Year 1, Year 3 or Year 5. It was accelerated because of all the things I had in place,” Brady said. “When I was in college, I ran a pro style offense. I got drafted and I had Bill Belichick to teach me. I got to sit behind Drew Bledsoe.
“I worked really hard to learn all those things and embrace the challenge. I think when you’re a young quarterback, ultimately that’s what you’re trying to do. Be in a situation where you can learn, grow, develop. It’s all about mentorship. It’s all about that people that come into your life.”
While the NFL has trended in recent years toward throwing top QB prospects right into starting reps, Brady has long been a proponent of letting quarterbacks develop on their own timeline — even if that patient approach might not yield immediate results for the franchise.
Brady might be the best-case scenario of letting a QB marinate on the sideline, but several other legendary quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes also benefited from at least a year spent as the team’s QB2.
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early, but the reality is the only reason why we are is because we’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play,” Brady said during a discussion with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith in August. “It used to be thought of at a higher level.
“We used to spend hours and hours in the offseason, in training camp, trying to be a little bit better the next year. 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.”
Brady’s comments about the strong roster and coaching staff in place when he arrived in New England does resonate with this current Patriots team.
While Drake Maye has impressed in his limited reps so far as New England’s QB1, he also doesn’t have a whole lot to work with on a rebuilding roster — especially on the offensive line and at the receiver position.
Even though Maye is not necessarily in an ideal spot as the featured player on a flawed roster, the Patriots should have the means to give him support this offseason — be it in free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com