Tom Brady’s career as an NFL player was a story of gradual growth, with his first season being largely uneventful. After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, he only appeared in one game, attempting just three passes. It wasn’t until his second season that Brady took over as starting quarterback for the New England Patriots, replacing an injured Drew Bledsoe and winning his first of seven Super Bowls.
Given that Brady’s rookie season as a player didn’t reveal the greatness to come, should we really expect to make a definitive judgment about his first season as a TV analyst? The answer is: absolutely. The stakes are different now. While Brady’s rookie season as a player came with modest expectations, FOX Sports made a huge investment in him as a broadcaster, signing him to a 10-year, $375 million contract. Not a bad deal for a rookie analyst.
And just like his playing days, Brady’s analyst rookie season has seen him quickly rise to prominence. Brady’s first season in the booth culminates with him calling Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans—a stage where the seasoned veteran will surely face even higher expectations.
How Did Brady Perform as an Analyst?
Brady’s transition from the field to the booth came with big shoes to fill. FOX made him the analyst for their No. 1 broadcast team, a decision that immediately put him under intense scrutiny, especially given that Greg Olsen—one of the best analysts on television—was the previous occupant of the role.
Personally, I don’t get to watch much of Brady’s work in the booth, as I’m a dedicated viewer of NFL RedZone. However, the quirky Week 17 schedule presented an opportunity to watch Brady’s broadcast of the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings game, and it gave me a clearer picture of how Brady performed as an analyst.
Brady noted that his defensive strategy was to "confuse the quarterback just enough to make him feel off," and right on cue, Jordan Love’s pass sailed over an open receiver’s head.
When the Packers faced a fourth-and-3 late in the first quarter, it initially seemed they were going to go for it. However, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur ultimately decided to bring in the field-goal unit instead.
"I always loved going on the road and feeling like … even if we didn’t score a touchdown, getting points on the board, settling everything down, playing with a lead," Brady explained. "It just puts a little more pressure on the home team. So I like this call."
Brady reiterated his philosophy later in the first half when the Packers faced another fourth-and-3 in Minnesota territory. This time, Green Bay chose to go for it but failed.
"Get points on the board," Brady advised. "Don’t inject any adrenaline into the other team."
Super Bowl LIX: Brady’s Moment to Shine as an Analyst
Looking ahead to Super Bowl LIX, Brady will face even higher expectations. With millions of viewers tuning in, the spotlight will be on him more than ever. Brady, who has played in 10 Super Bowls and won seven, knows the pressure of performing in front of a massive audience. However, calling the Super Bowl as an analyst will present a new set of challenges. His audience will likely expect more in-depth analysis and unique stories from his playing days. This is Brady’s moment to not only call the game but also to share insights that fans have never heard before.
The rookie analyst is about to face his biggest test. He’s had a solid first year in the booth, but the Super Bowl will be a true measure of his potential as a broadcaster. As Brady steps into the booth to call Super Bowl LIX, it will be fascinating to see how he handles the pressure and whether he can rise to the occasion just as he did on the field.
In any case, it is clear that Brady’s transition from NFL legend to TV broadcaster has been a successful one, and Super Bowl LIX is the perfect stage to cement his status as a top-tier analyst.
ADVERTISEMENT