Tom Brady issues sage advice for Caleb Williams, top rooks ahead of 2024 NFL season
There are quite a few rookie quarterbacks that NFL franchises are betting on going into the 2024 NFL season, and many of them got to hear from legendary New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady regarding how they should carry themselves in their rookie seasons and throughout their whole careers.
“When you have 53 guys on the team you think it’s about you, it ain’t about you. It’s about us,” Tom Brady said, via Michael Rubin on X. “And the biggest problem I see with a lot of the young players today, you guys are making it too much about I and me because of social media, cause of branding and all that. It’s fine you’re not gonna win. There was a difference between being a star and being a champion. … Every day of practice was important. You know why? Because when I was on the Patriots and we had 20 years winning, every day was a big day. I treated a preseason game, I treated a regular game like it was a Super Bowl. So when I got to the Super Bowl it was just another day for me. … There should be nobody in your life that should have higher expectations for you than you.”
It is not a surprise to hear that Brady had this type of advice for rookies, as he was visibly fired up before pretty much every game in his career, with the Patriots and after that with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is a large part of why Brady ended his career with seven Super Bowl wins. These rookie quarterbacks hope they can only have a portion of that success in the NFL.
Outlook for 2024 NFL rookie quarterbacks
There were six quarterbacks selected in the first round in Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr, JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix. Each of them landed in interesting spots, for different reasons. Spencer Rattler, Jordan Travis, Joe Milton, Devin Leary and Michael Pratt all went later in the draft and seem to be backups.
As for the first-round quarterbacks, each of them have different situations to deal with. Caleb Williams is arguably in the best situation, which is unusual for a No. 1 pick. He landed with the Chicago Bears, and has several weapons to throw to along with an offensive line that has pieces and a solid defense. Caleb Williams was viewed as a generational prospect by many, and expectations will be high in year one.
Jayden Daniels is not viewed as a generational prospect, but it seems like he has a good chance at playing right away for the Washington Commanders. He is seen as a good passer who has potentially elite mobility and rushing ability.
Drake Maye is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Tom Brady with the Patriots, and he seems like someone who is going to sit to start, at least for a little bit. But his physical tools give him real upside at the NFL level in the eyes of many. The Patriots’ roster is not necessarily strong, but Maye has the tools to be a franchise quarterback, and it will be on him to put the work in.
Michael Penix Jr. was a controversial pick for the Atlanta Falcons due to the signing of Kirk Cousins in free agency. Eventually, he will likely get a chance to take over under center for a talented team.
That is the case with JJ McCarthy as well, although the selection was not as controversial. When he steps on the field, he will have an opportunity to throw to many talented weapons, like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. It would be a surprise if he did not play at some point this season. He is also a former Michigan Wolverine, just like Tom Brady.
Lastly, Bo Nix was the apple of Sean Payton’s eye, and he is an experienced quarterback who will likely start right away for the Denver Broncos.
It will be interesting to see who takes Brady’s advice and uses it to become the most successful quarterback in this draft class.
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