'Wasn't a disaster': Five thoughts about Tom Brady's TV debut

On Sunday, Fox Sports' Tom Brady served as TV analyst for the Dallas Cowboys-Cleveland Browns game, his first regular-season game as a broadcaster. Since his debut, he has drawn mixed reviews.

Here are five thoughts about the future Pro Football Hall of Famer's TV debut:

1. He struggled to live up to the hype

Before his final NFL season in 2022, the former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback signed a 10-year, $375M deal with Fox. Viewers who expected the seven-time Super Bowl champion would excel immediately were probably disappointed.

"Brady wasn't a disaster by any means, and considering his legendary work ethic, one would imagine he'll only get better from here," wrote Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod. "But when it comes to first impressions, he also didn't leave much of one, which can't be what Fox had in mind when they signed him to a starting quarterback's salary."

The high expectations may have created jitters, contributing to Brady's struggles. The Athletic's Andrew Marchand noted, "He came across as nervous to open his Fox broadcasting career." 

2. He's not ready to call Super Bowl LIX

Fox hosts Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025. According to Marchand, more than 100 million people are expected to watch the game. Brady must improve over the course of the season or he could flop on Super Sunday. 

"If he has the broadcast he had Sunday during Super Bowl Sunday ... he will not want to put the column I write on his refrigerator. Nor listen to this pod after because it wouldn't be good enough," Marchand said on a Tuesday episode of the "Marchand and Meterparel" podcast. 

Other commentators may also rip Brady if he fails to deliver during the Super Bowl, which could make Fox look foolish. 

3. Are restrictions hampering him? 

The NFL is prohibiting Brady from attending TV production meetings because he's aiming to become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The league wants to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Perhaps that explains why Brady seemed uncomfortable in the booth Sunday. Before games, broadcast crews interview coaches and players, who often provide insight they use on a telecast. 

During a recent episode of the "Awful Announcing Podcast," Fox play-by-play announcer Joe Davis said participating in these meetings "is very important," and it helps a crew determine storylines it should prioritize.

4. He didn't showcase his football IQ

Brady kept binders with football-related notes throughout his 23-year career and studied them before his broadcasting debut. 

Surprisingly, he struggled to flaunt his knowledge. Was he suffering from information overload?

"I think he was trying to do so many things, and he was so overprepared that he forgot ... we're supposed to be watching a football game with Tom Brady." The Ringer's Bill Simmons said on a Monday episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast."