When Tom Brady entered the league 22 years ago, longtime San Francisco 49ers passer Joe Montana was widely regarded as the best quarterback in NFL history. But after seven Super Bowl wins and a multitude of records shattered, the now-former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback has now been acclaimed as the greatest to ever play the position.
For Montana, he much backs Brady as the greatest of all-time at the quarterback position, which he spoke further about to the NFL Network.
“Tom's had a tremendous career, played a long time,” Montana said. “Definitely belongs up there in that spot.”
As in any sport, there has been wide criticism over the lack of respect for the greats that played football decades ago. The three-time Super Bowl MVP winner sees that with the vast contrast in eras coupled with the multitude of rule changes over the years, it is simply an arduous task to compare the stars of today to the legends of the past.
“There's just so hard to compare,” Montana said. “Go back and look at Otto Graham. … Watch him play and how do you compare him to that era where what did they to wide receivers back then, they'd grow you in jail for.
“It's just hard to compare everybody. The game is different. The game changes. … Tom's had a career that will be tough to catch.”
The NFL has seen a variety of on-field changes over the decades, from the constant alterations of how defensive backs can cover opposing wide receivers to the increase in rule revisions to protect the safety of players.
Nonetheless, as Montana touched on, Brady sure has already left behind a legacy that will be quite difficult for any current or future quarterback to match. The former Buccaneers passer finished his career with a multitude of records, including the most passing touchdowns in playoff history (86), which stands 41 more than Montana (45) in the second spot.
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