Just a few months ago, Tom Brady officially announced his retirement from the NFL. Following a very disappointing season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 45-year old quarterback said goodbye.
After his college career at Michigan, Brady was selected by the Patriots with the famous 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. When Drew Bledsoe got injured, he received the opportunity by head coach Bill Belichick and the rest is history. Six Super Bowls won with New England and one more with Tampa to become the greatest player ever.
Now, the legend sparked a huge controversy by saying the NFL was currently mediocre. It all happened during a special appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show.
âI think thereâs a lot of mediocrity in todayâs NFL. I donât see the excellence that I saw in the past. I think the coaching isnât as good as it was. I donât think the development of young players is as good as it was. I donât think the schemes are as good as they were.â

Tom Brady said the NFL is mediocre (Getty Images)
Alex Smith destroys Tom Brady
Alex Smith, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, took notice of Bradyâs comments and reminded him that he had just retired from that mediocre NFL and took advantage of a terrible AFC East.
âI love Tom, the Goat, but, he hasnât been retired that long. He was just playing. He just won a Super Bowl in the current game (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Is he discounting that one? Then, my biggest complaint with this. He played in the most uncompetitive division, I think, in NFL history.â
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For almost two decades, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots absolutely dominated their division as there were never true franchise quarterbacks in the Dolphins, Bills or Jets.
Only a few years ago, when Brady left the Patriots and Josh Allen arrived to the Bills, that trend started to change. Thatâs why Smith doesnât agree with Tomâs take on NFLâs mediocrity.
âI mean, you come out of training camp, the biggest cupcake division. You got a ticket to the playoffs right away. Like, talk about mediocre. I completely disagree with this. I know heâs referencing the rule changes over the middle to the receiver, but, in my opinion, I think the gameâs gotten better.â

Alex Smith calls out Tom Brady (Getty Images)
Tom Brady says the NFL is mediocre
Tom Brady indeed emphasized the rule changes are a big part of this new NFL. âThe rules have allowed a lot of bad habits to get into the actual performance of the game. So I just think the product in my opinion is less than what itâs been.â
However, Smith doesnât believe thatâs enough to criticize the entire league. âThereâs more parity across the league. Quarterback play is at an all time high. Youâve the best athletes playing the position. We didnât have this 30 or 40 years ago. Heâs referencing also that offense is down. Like, the numbers this year. To me, I kind of think weâre in a golden age of defensive linemen.â
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