Quarterback Tom Brady is making NFL news, and not all for the right reasons. He’s won the most Super Bowls of any quarterback and figures to be in the news till the end of his time as such. Many will consider him the best quarterback to play the game, and one of the top NFL picks, and it’s hard to argue.
The 45-year-old was selected in the sixth round of the draft in 2000 and is still playing, despite having nothing else to prove. He retired for 40 days before deciding to return with the hopes of winning his eighth Super Bowl. The Buccaneers were one of the NFL expert picks to win the Super Bowl, or at least the NFC.
But it didn’t come without a cost.
His wife, Gisele Bundchen, filed for divorce as a result of his decision and other private issues. It came after an 11-day trip away from training camp as Brady spent time with Bundchen. When he returned to the Buccaneers, he seemed to have a greater perspective on things and didn’t necessarily have the same edge.
Soon though, he will indeed retire and move to the broadcast booth after signing a 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX to be the analyst. Once his career ends, it will signal the passing of the baton to the next generation.
Rising stars
One of the budding quarterback rivalries is between Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes III and Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. The two dueled in an incredible overtime playoff game during the 2021 season, and the latest chapter in the 2022 regular season produced another instant classic.
It’s reminiscent of the rivalry between Brady when he was with the New England Patriots and Peyton Manning when he was with the Indianapolis Colts. It was always appointment viewing as the two were the top game managers and winners in their league. It was often Brady’s Patriots denying Manning’s Colts an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl.
It’s a very similar storyline for Mahomes and Allen, who are arguably the top two quarterbacks in the NFL today. Of course, NFL predictions had those two teams as the top two odds to win the Super Bowl among AFC contenders. That’s what happened when Mahomes and the Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship Game last year.
But there’s also a new wave of second-tier quarterbacks and beyond. Zach Wilson and the New York Jets are showing signs of improvement, as are Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.
Jalen Hurts is taking another step as the Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller, too. Justin Herbert is offering promise with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers gave the keys to first-round pick Kenny Pickett, and the Miami Dolphins have shown promise with Tua Tagovailoa.
This young wave of quarterbacks is producing excitement for their fans. That doesn’t even touch on some of the mid-tier quarterbacks who are a little older, such as Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders. It feels as balanced as possible throughout the league, though.
Changing of the guard
Other veteran quarterbacks are winding down their careers, signifying a changing of the guard. Namely, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers who has a Super Bowl victory to his name, figures to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and at 38 years old, has danced around retirement in recent years. Take away star wide receiver Davante Adams, and Rodgers is looking pedestrian behind a banged-up offensive line and with a defense that has been a major letdown.
Then there is current Colts quarterback Matt Ryan, who hasn’t been the saving grace that Indianapolis fans thought he would be. The 37-year-old should have beaten Brady and the Patriots; alas, he still has an MVP to his name.
Plus, Russell Wilson, who signed a massive contract extension with the Denver Broncos, has not looked himself since doing so, though injuries may have played a part in that.
New wave
The generational change is just underway, too, with a talented quarterback class expected in 2023 with Alabama’s Bryce Young, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, Kentucky’s Will Levis, and many others in the conversation for first-round picks.