Phil Simms recently voiced his disagreement with Tom Brady’s critique of how young quarterbacks are being handled in the NFL. During a conversation with Stephen A. Smith last week, Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion who is poised to join Fox’s top NFL broadcast team, referred to the trend of starting young quarterbacks early in their careers as a “tragedy.”
Brady’s comments stirred some controversy, and Simms, a former New York Giants quarterback, addressed the issue on his Bleav podcast, “Simms Complete,” which he co-hosts with his son, Matt. Simms pushed back against Brady’s perspective, arguing that young quarterbacks are often starting because they are the most talented option on their teams, not simply because they were high draft picks.
“I heard Tom Brady’s comments, and I have to disagree,” Simms said. “These young quarterbacks are playing because they’re the most talented on the roster. It’s not like they’re being thrown in just because they were drafted high. They’ve earned their spot.”
Simms highlighted how the landscape of college football has shifted towards more pass-heavy offenses, which he believes has better prepared quarterbacks for the NFL. He pointed out that the increased number of throws and reps young quarterbacks get in college equips them to handle the challenges of starting in the NFL sooner than in the past.
“These guys have the talent and the experience,” Simms continued. “The number of throws they get in college makes the transition easier. The quarterback position just keeps elevating.”
Simms’ comments stand in stark contrast to Brady’s views. Brady, who famously spent his first season in the NFL as a backup to Drew Bledsoe before stepping into the starting role after Bledsoe’s injury in 2001, advocates for a more gradual approach to developing young quarterbacks. He believes that rushing them into starting roles can be detrimental to their long-term success.
RELATED: Tom Brady Celebrates Son’s Birthday: ‘You’re Just As Tall As Me Now!’
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we’re forcing these rookies to play early,” Brady said during his interview. “The only reason they are is that we’ve dumbed the game down, which has allowed them to play.”
Brady also reflected on the differences in preparation between his early days in the league and the current environment. He emphasized the extensive time that was once spent in the offseason and training camp to develop a deep understanding of the game, something he feels is lacking today.
“We used to spend hours and hours in the offseason, in training camp, trying to be a little bit better each year,” Brady explained. “But now, I think coaches are discouraged from going to deeper levels because they realize the players don’t have the opportunity to reach that depth, so they’re just going to teach them where they’re at.”
The debate between Simms and Brady reflects broader discussions in the NFL about how best to develop young quarterbacks. On one hand, there’s the belief that increased exposure and experience are beneficial, as Simms argues. On the other, Brady’s perspective emphasizes the importance of patience and thorough preparation, warning against the risks of rushing young talent into high-pressure roles too soon.
As the NFL continues to evolve, with quarterbacks like Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix expected to start as rookies for teams like the Bears, Commanders, and Broncos, respectively, the league will keep testing these differing philosophies on quarterback development.
The outcome of these young quarterbacks’ careers may ultimately determine which approach proves more effective in the modern NFL.
