Joe Buck is urging football fans to show a bit of patience when it comes to judging Tom Brady’s transition from the field to the broadcast booth. The legendary quarterback made his highly anticipated debut as a color commentator for Fox during the Cowboys-Browns game last Sunday, and the reception was mixed. While some viewers expected Brady’s presence to be as commanding in the booth as it was on the field, Buck believes it’s far too early to pass judgment.
In a recent appearance on The Michael Kay Show, Buck, who has been calling NFL games since 1994, emphasized that broadcasting is a skill that takes time to develop and that Brady, like anyone new to the role, needs the opportunity to settle in.
“This is a hard job, and we all have our own part to play,” Buck said. “We all need to be able to settle in and know what we need to know. I talked to [Brady] on Friday, and I don’t think anybody’s ever put in more work to be prepared for their first broadcast than Tom did. Now, it’s about moving forward and getting comfortable.”
Buck, who has seen countless athletes make the leap from playing to broadcasting, expressed frustration with how quickly people were ready to criticize Brady after just one game in the booth. “It’s grossly unfair that everyone wants to weigh in after five seconds,” Buck said. “That’s not how this works.”
One of the more notable critiques came from NFL Network RedZone host Scott Hanson, who suggested on social media that Brady needed to “get more excited” in his commentary. However, Hanson later apologized for his quick judgment, and Brady graciously responded, assuring him there was no need to apologize.
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Buck, no stranger to the pressures of live broadcasting, likened Brady’s debut to other high-profile transitions in the entertainment world, drawing comparisons to figures like Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien, both of whom faced intense scrutiny when they first took over their late-night talk shows. “It wasn’t easy for Jimmy Fallon when he took over ‘The Tonight Show.’ And Conan O’Brien, when he took over for David Letterman, was on a day-to-day or week-by-week contract. It’s tough to work under that kind of pressure.”
Despite the early criticisms, Buck is confident that Brady will find his footing and become an excellent broadcaster. “I think he’ll be great,” Buck said. “I stand by that. We all watched and enjoyed it, and I’ll be doing it again next week.”
Brady’s transition to the booth has been one of the most highly anticipated moves in sports broadcasting history. In 2022, he signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox to become one of their lead NFL commentators, a deal that reflects the network’s confidence in his potential off the field. Since his retirement after the 2022 NFL season, Brady has reportedly been methodical in preparing for his broadcasting career, reaching out to fellow NFL commentators like Tony Romo and Greg Olsen for advice.
While Brady’s first game in the booth may not have been flawless, Buck reminded listeners that even the best broadcasters took time to perfect their craft. Brady, who spent over two decades mastering the complexities of the quarterback position, now faces a new challenge in learning how to analyze and convey the game from the other side of the camera.
For Buck, the verdict on Brady’s broadcasting career should not be rushed. Just as he needed time to become one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history, Brady will need time to hone his skills as a commentator. And if his track record of success is any indication, Buck believes Brady will rise to the occasion once again.
With his vast knowledge of the game and his work ethic, Brady is positioned to succeed in his new role—but for now, Buck is simply asking fans to give the NFL legend a little more time to get comfortable behind the mic.
