Jerry Rice says he played in tougher era, but Tom Brady can have 'GOAT' status

Jerry Rice is currently and will likely forever be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady holds the records for more Super Bowl victories (seven) than any other player or franchise and most Super Bowl Most Valuable Player trophies (five). 

Rice spoke of Brady's G.O.A.T. status during an appearance on San Francisco radio station 95.7 The Game but also threw some shade at current players.

"I don’t have seven Super Bowl rings, but I think I played in an era when football was more of a contact sport. You’re seeing a lot of that now — players are protected," Rice said on Monday, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "When you have seven rings, you’re doing something right. I think with Brady, he still wants to play. He said something about playing until he’s 45. I think he can do it now in this league because players are so much more protected. So, yeah, he can have that GOAT status. I never wanted that status anyhow."

Playing until he is 45 may no longer be Brady's target. Before Super Bowl LV, he admitted he's open to playing past his 45th birthday that will arrive in August 2022, and Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians said last week that he "wouldn't be surprised" if Brady and the Buccaneers put pen to paper on a contract extension. 

As of Super Bowl Monday, Brady is signed only through the 2021 season.