Tom Brady’s transition from NFL legend to lead broadcaster for Fox has been anything but smooth, drawing sharp criticism from sports media analysts after a series of on-air blunders. Despite signing an unprecedented 10-year, $375 million contract to be Fox’s top NFL analyst alongside Kevin Burkhardt, the seven-time Super Bowl champion has struggled to find his footing in the broadcast booth.
Latest Missteps
Brady’s most recent gaffes came during Saturday’s Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers matchup, where his commentary fell short of the sharp analysis expected from someone of his stature.
In one instance, Brady mistakenly referred to Steelers running back Najee Harris as Najeh Davenport, a player who hasn’t suited up for the team since 2008. Later, while breaking down a second-quarter touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, Brady misspoke, saying that Lamar Jackson caught the touchdown pass before immediately correcting himself.
“This is Cory Trice at the corner,” Brady began. “The second-year player who hasn’t had much playing experience. They run a high-low concept, and he just takes the cheese up here on Likely and exposes the safety to this easy throw here to Lamar.”
The slip-ups were compounded by what critics have described as a lack of depth in his analysis. Instead of delivering unique insights, Brady frequently relied on repetitive phrases, such as saying “chunks” numerous times throughout the broadcast.
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Industry Backlash
Sports media critics wasted no time calling out Brady’s performance, with Andrew Marchand of The Athletic leading the charge.
“Brady regressed this week,” Marchand wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “No extra insight all day. He said ‘chunks’ a thousand times.”
Marchand wasn’t alone in his assessment. Other industry veterans also voiced their disappointment with Brady’s commentary.
“Tom Brady replacing Greg Olsen in the booth is like Mac Jones replacing Brady in New England,” quipped Safid Deen of USA Today.
“Having to listen to Tom Brady makes this even more difficult,” added Jeff Hartman, a podcast host on the Steel Curtain Network.
Former MLB writer Jed Weisberger went even further, calling for Fox to reconsider Brady’s role.
“If Fox does not discharge Brady after this season, some respect will be lost,” Weisberger wrote. “He is absolutely horrendous as an analyst and has no ability to do this job. Makes me wish I was still writing national media. Worst ever.”
A Pattern of Errors
Brady’s struggles in the booth aren’t limited to the Ravens-Steelers game. The week prior, during a Philadelphia Eagles game, he mistook kicker Jake Elliott for former Eagles kicker David Akers, who retired in 2013 and hasn’t played for the team since 2010.
These recurring errors have raised questions about Brady’s preparedness and ability to adapt to the fast-paced demands of live sports broadcasting.
A Tough Road Ahead
Brady’s foray into broadcasting has been met with heightened scrutiny due to the enormous expectations tied to his record-breaking contract. Comparisons to Greg Olsen, the analyst Brady is slated to replace, have only intensified the pressure.
Olsen has been widely praised for his sharp insights and engaging delivery, setting a high bar for Brady to match.
As Fox continues to evaluate Brady’s first season in the booth, the backlash from fans and critics alike serves as a reminder that even the greatest athletes may face challenges in their post-playing careers. Whether Brady can rise to the occasion and refine his commentary remains to be seen, but for now, his performance has left much to be desired.
The Verdict
While Tom Brady’s NFL career cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time, his broadcasting career has yet to reach the same level of excellence.
With the weight of a $375 million deal and the expectations of millions of fans, the pressure is on for Brady to prove he belongs in the booth. Otherwise, Fox may face tough decisions about the future of their marquee hire.
