Monday morning on The Greg Hill Show, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, “I’m thinking about Miami,” when asked about how much longer he plans on coaching, insinuating that his focus is on his football team, as always. Noise will be ignored, distractions are at a minimum, and he’ll likely only discuss players currently on the team. Yet one can’t help but wonder if he happened to see who the players in his beloved league chose as its top player.
For the fourth time in the past 12 seasons, Tom Brady has been chosen by his teammates and opponents as the top player in the NFL. The top 10 of the #NFLTop100 was revealed Sunday evening, and Brady once again took the top spot. Just listening to players he’s played alongside and against, there doesn’t seem to be much disagreement with the honor.
Brady led the league in both passing yards and TD throws in the 2021 season, at the age of 44, yet curiously was not chosen as the league’s MVP, an award that went to Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. He was first selected as the top of the NFL 100 back in 2011 while still under center in New England. The latest accolade for Brady continues his astounding top-flight play since leaving the Patriots in March 2020. A debate as to whether the GOAT would still be playing at such a high level were he still on the Patriots would only frustrate local football fans and is best left for the talk radio airwaves. You most certainly wouldn’t get much along an opinion on the topic from his former coach, either.
Brady, who made waves recently when he disappeared from training camp in Tampa for 11 days, is entering his 23rd season in 2022 at the age of 45, and still expected by many to play at a high to elite level. A recent poll of NFL Nation reporters at ESPN predicted Brady would finish the 2022 season as the 20th-best player. As we’re full well aware, whenever he’s doubted Brady surpasses expectations with great intensity, from being Pick 199 in the 2000 draft to leaving New England to now. Also of note, Pro Football Focus had Brady as the eighth-best player of 2021. Any which way you rank it, there’s no denying Brady has continued to play at a remarkable level since leaving the Patriots. And fans still can’t help but wonder if that decision was really in the best interest of the football team. Tough to say so as of now.
But don’t ask the coach. He’s got a date with the Dolphins come Sept. 11 on the mind.
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