5 veteran QBs who have crashed and burned spectacularly this season

1. Tom Brady

Last on the list is no surprise. While we may have thought Tom Brady (45) could play forever, this once-invincible superstar has shown some serious cracks in the armor this season. The Bucs are also 3-4, after dropping embarrassing losses to the Steelers and the Panthers. This has left many commentators and players believing that we’re just not seeing the same Tom Brady.

We’re used to seeing Tom Brady at the top of most statistical categories. But his 1,942 yards (10th) and 8 TDs (16th) are far from his best. And his 53.2 QBR is a career low. But again, lifting stats doesn’t tell the whole story. To expound on the Brady saga, the Bucs have had some serious injuries on the offensive line, and he’s been without some of his favorite targets the past few weeks. This has resulted in far more pressure than Brady has historically faced. And as a 45-year old, the desire to avoid getting hit has got to be higher than at any point in his storied career.

But to add some more meat to the story, Brady’s troubles this season have extended off the field. It’s rumored that he’s dealing with marital troubles at home, and his decision to attend Robert Kraft’s wedding midweek came under scrutiny after the team lost. Brady came back this season because he believed he could still perform at a high level, but so far distractions and injuries have kept him from playing like the superstar we’ve all come to expect.

The Next Generation

It’s time to recognize that a new age of QB now dominates the league. Looking at the top 10 passers-by QBR this season, the average age is 27. What’s more, QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts are more versatile and more comfortable running than the 5 veterans discussed above. The NFL now molds its offenses to fit this new generation of QBs, which unfortunately might leave these aging veterans in the dust.