Wide receivers are the real housewives of the NFL, says Tom Brady.
The NFL legend reacted to the A.J. Brown trade saga over the past season on Travis and Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast this week.
“A.J. wanted to be involved,” Brady said. “I covered a lot of those Eagles games. That passing offense isn’t — that’s not what that team’s known for. So now he’s actually going to a team where they are more known for their passing offense. So, you know, there will be maybe a little more satisfaction from him from that standpoint.”
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown catches a pass during an NFL football practice. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Brown was traded to the Patriots in June after months of speculation and a falling out with his quarterback, Jalen Hurts, for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
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Joining the Patriots means a reunion with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, for whom the wideout played his first three seasons in Tennessee.
Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, is coming off a season with 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 catches, but with a career-low 12.9 yards per catch.
Brady continued by saying he gets déjà vu when watching receivers claim to be unhappy with their situation, because he saw it as far back as 2000, when he entered the NFL.
He said it’s the only position on offense that isn’t naturally engaged with every play.
“It’s the receivers who stand, you know, 25 yards from the ball, just talking smack with the [defensive backs],” Brady said. “Trying to figure out, ‘Alright, I ran my ass off and didn’t get the ball, and how do I stay locked in and committed to the team when I don’t touch the ball?’”
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Brady added: “I swear to God, it’s just déjà vu. I’ve been seeing the same s–t since 2000 when I came into the league… It’s like the ‘Real Housewives of the NFL.’”
Brady said during his time in the league, he had to put a lot of “emotional energy” into keeping wide receivers happy and locked in.
He said an unsatisfied receiver takes away a lot from his game.
“One game, you’re gonna get 11 and one game, you’re gonna get three,” the seven-time Super Bowl champ said. “I can’t have you, like, the happiest guy in the world when you catch 11, or the most miserable guy on the team when you catch three.”
