It was a tough Week 1 in the NFL for a lot of guys, and this includes Tom Brady. The highest-paid, big-name addition to FOX’s broadcasting lineup was on hand for Cowboys vs. Browns, and it was a damn mess.
From the jump it was clear that at no point did anyone assess whether Brady had talent for this gig before offering him a 10-year, $375 million contract with the network. Not only did he fumble through his words while trying to make a point, but at no moment was Brady especially insightful in breaking down the game. The performance was in stark contrast to Greg Olsen, the announcer he replaced on FOX’s A-team.
Olsen was a beloved addition to commentary because of his ability to translate his football knowledge in a way that was entertaining. He innately understood the important moments in a game and when to heighten the intensity of them. Brady just never got it at any point while callings Cowboys vs. Browns. His largely monotone delivery was underscored with the most basic football knowledge imaginable, with such amazing insights as:
“It’s tough to pick up 10 yards in the NFL, but it’s even more difficult to get 20.”
“They have to cover if it [a 71-yard-attempt] misses.”
“They want Deshaun to regain that form he had in Houston.”
Worse than these takes was Brady’s really awkward cadence, which sounded like an AI reading a script, rather than someone with any real talent for broadcasting. Bizarre pauses marred his sentences, there was nothing natural about his delivery, and other than the gimmick of having Brady in the booth, it was abundantly clear he didn’t belong.
I’ve heard enough of Tom Brady, justice for Greg Olsen
— Molly (@FSUmollz) September 8, 2024
I don’t know how else to say it but Tom Brady does not have a voice that is meant to be heard without seeing his face.
— Jared Plaudis (@JaredPlaudis) September 8, 2024
Tom Brady can’t seem to form any sentences that have any sort of normal cadence to them
— Luka Donthičć (@landahoy14) September 8, 2024
Maybe someone should have listened to Tom Brady actually say words before dropping $300 million on him.
— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) September 8, 2024
Here’s the deal: We don’t need to worship everything Tom Brady does. We can acknowledge he’s the greatest quarterback in this history of the NFL without having to fake that he’s good at this one thing, or that he’ll magically improve. Like him or not, it was clear from the jump that Tony Romo was going to be good as an announcer. Greg Olsen shined from his first game. Brady was awful, and his ardent supporters are saying “give it time,” as if he’ll be able to grow a outgoing personality in a week or two.
For better and worst Brady is the Tim Duncan of the NFL. Undoubtably brilliant, but not someone you want to have to listen to talk for three hours. When it comes to past quarterbacks, Brady was never the personality guy in his era. Heck, this was a man who employed his own personal social media team to try and appear relatable and likable on Instagram.
It’s all unfair, and it’s everything wrong with the sports landscape right now. Greg Olsen lost his job because Brady is a bigger marquee name, and this happened despite Brady not having any talent or training in the media space. That was exceptionally clear in his first outing, and this came after delaying his debut for a full year.
On the plus side: Brady could probably walk down from the booth and still be better than half the quarterbacks in the league. Something to think about if this commentary thing isn’t working by mid-season.
