Tom Brady Faces Backlash Over On-Air Blunder as Fans Demand His Removal from Announcer Role

Tom Brady’s transition into sports commentary has not been without its bumps, with the NFL legend facing heavy criticism after a recent on-air blunder. The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who made his broadcasting debut in September 2023, is already receiving backlash from fans who are questioning his ability to thrive in his new role as an NFL analyst.
Brady, 46, made the error during the NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, where he joined announcer Kevin Burkhardt for commentary. As the game neared halftime with the Eagles leading 10-0, Brady made a major mistake that didn’t go unnoticed. While attempting to praise the Eagles’ play call, Brady accidentally mentioned Philadelphia’s baseball team instead of the football team, stating, “I like this call by the Phillies… excuse me, by Philly.”
The blunder didn’t stop there. Brady further flubbed his analysis by referring to Packers running back Josh Jacobs as “Brandon Jacobs,” a retired NFL halfback who hasn’t played in years. These mistakes were quickly called out on social media, where fans were vocal about their dissatisfaction with Brady’s performance. One user wrote, “Maybe Brady’s not cut out for broadcasting,” while another remarked, “TB is the GOAT, but he is brutal at this.” A few even took to criticizing his $375 million deal with Fox Sports, expressing frustration at the large salary he’s receiving for what they perceive as a lackluster commentary performance.
Some fans went as far as calling for Brady’s replacement, with one user tweeting, “Get this a-shole out of here and bring back Greg Olsen!” Another added, “Can’t wait for Greg Olsen to be back on the A team next year!”
The criticism stems from Brady’s earlier missteps as well. Last year, during a broadcast of a Green Bay Packers game against the Minnesota Vikings, Brady struggled to recall key details about the Packers’ opponents. Brady fumbled his words, saying, “They lost to the uh… Who’d they lose to, the other one?” After a long pause, Brady attempted to cover up the error by shifting the focus to the game itself, but the awkwardness of the moment was hard to ignore.
Despite the backlash, Brady has remained positive, reflecting on his career shift and the experiences that come with it. His $375 million contract with Fox Sports will keep him in the booth for 10 years, with an annual salary of $37.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid sports commentators in history. The deal is seen by many as an attempt to tap into Brady’s star power, but some are questioning whether his commentary skills live up to the hefty paycheck.
Brady’s critics argue that his broadcasting career may not be as smooth as his playing career, which was marked by unparalleled success. However, it’s clear that the former quarterback is not giving up easily. In a recent Instagram post, Brady shared a heartfelt message about his reflections on the past year. He wrote, “No year ever goes exactly the way we want, but when I think about 2024, I could not have imagined anything better,” and added, “The best is yet to come.”
As Brady continues his commentary career, only time will tell if he can overcome these early missteps and deliver the same level of excellence he achieved on the field. For now, however, fans remain vocal about their concerns and expectations.