Former Super Bowl champion head coach Jon Gruden and legendary quarterback Tom Brady share more than just a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They both believe that current NFL offenses are becoming simplified and “dumbed” down for young quarterbacks. Gruden expressed his thoughts on the state of current offenses during an appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me With Dan Dakich,” noting that many plays seen on Friday night high school games are similar to those in NFL games on Sundays.
Tom Brady echoed similar sentiments, stating that rookie quarterbacks are starting right away because the game has been made simpler for them. Brady mentioned during an appearance with Stephen A. Smith at Fanatics Fest that the game used to be approached at a higher level in the past, with coaches and players spending extensive time in the offseason and training camp to improve. However, he believes that the game has been dumbed down to cater to the younger generation of players who may not have the same opportunities for deep learning.
Gruden also expressed his concerns about the evolution of quarterback play in the league, pointing out that simplistic actions like clapping to signal the snap count may not necessarily be considered progress. Despite his reservations, Gruden understands the reasons behind the game being simplified, attributing it to various factors such as limited practice time, player transfers in college, and the lack of spring practice. He emphasized the importance of repetition in learning and how the reduction of practice time may lead to a decline in the quality of play.
The former head coach last coached in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 before resigning five weeks into the season due to controversies surrounding offensive emails he had sent in the past. On the other hand, Tom Brady retired from playing after the 2022-2023 season and has since taken on a role as a commentator for FOX alongside Kevin Burkhardt. Despite their different paths post-coaching and playing, both Gruden and Brady continue to be involved in the NFL, sharing their insights and opinions on the current state of the game.
In conclusion, Jon Gruden and Tom Brady’s shared belief that offenses in the NFL are becoming simplified for young quarterbacks reflects a broader sentiment within the league. While they may have differing perspectives on the evolution of quarterback play, both Gruden and Brady understand the challenges and reasons behind the changes in the game. As they continue to be involved in the NFL in different capacities, their contributions to the conversation around the future of the sport are significant and reflect their deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of football at the highest level.
