A growing debate around player safety has once again found one of football's biggest voices. While the NFL continues to adjust the rules created to protect quarterbacks and encourage offensive production, Tom Brady believes the rules may have overshot.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion, Brady, shared how NFL rules have changed over the years and why he feels modern rules favor offensive players. The former quarterback shared his thoughts during his appearance on the Stick to Football podcast on June 22.

"I think the biggest change is the offensive players on a team," said Brady, reflecting on changes in the NFL. "My team should protect myself, and your team needs to protect yourself. And I think the difference is there's a physical element to play where the quarterback can make a decision."

Brady's comments on the podcast come at a time when the league continues to focus on player safety, especially quarterbacks, while defenders face stricter limitations on how they can tackle opponents. He argued that responsibility for protection should not rest on the league's regulations.

To explain it with an example, he assumed the co-hosts Roy Keane as receiver and Ian Wright as defender.

"The problem is if Ian comes in too fast and all of a sudden Roy drops his head 4 inches and Ian clips his helmet because he's coming in to knock the ball off him, they're going to call a penalty on Ian, and they're going to penalize you yards, and they're going to fine you," said Brady.

The NFL has introduced many changes over the last two decades, including restrictions on hits to quarterbacks, defenseless receivers, and players in vulnerable positions. One such example is the unnecessary roughness penalty that results in a 15-yard penalty against the offending team.

Because of that risk, Brady says defenders are forced to slow down and play more cautiously. According to Brady, it favors the receivers who have a better chance to make catches because they no longer fear the same level of physical contact.

While Brady addresses gaps in the NFL safety rules, he currently serves as a strategic advisor for the Las Vegas Raiders. His strong mentor-mentee relationship with the Raiders' No. 1 draft pick, Fernando Mendoza, has been sparking conversations.

Tom Brady’s hands-on mentorship is shaping Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza

Brady's influence on the Raiders goes beyond ownership. The former Super Bowl MVP is taking an active role in helping the rookie quarterback Mendoza adjust to NFL life, guiding him to accelerate his growth.

"I think what he [Tom Brady] said as a quarterback is you need to be the most everything," said Mendoza on minicamp via the Raiders interview. "You need to be the most competitive. You need to be the most leader. You have to have the most leadership."

According to Mendoza, Brady stressed that a quarterback must be the toughest and strongest leader, and earn respect through actions and set standards for teammates.

Brady strongly supported the Raiders' decision to draft Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, and their relationship keeps growing. Mendoza has seen Brady as his football idol, and being under the wing of one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks gives a great learning opportunity.

What do you think of Brady being involved with the NFL even years after retiring? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar