Brady Effect: QBs playing into their 40's the new norm?

[FireChans]

5 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

You're thinking like a rational human. You dont get to the top of a career like this with a personality that can just decide to hit the "off-switch".

Does Warren Buffett still need to make more money? LOL. these dudes are singular driven cyborgs. the dudes who arent that get filtered out mentality wise at the college/early NFL levels. 8 billion people, and hes better than anyone else in the world, and you think a guy who can just shut it down has a chance to be where he is. nooooooo chanceeeeeeeee

These kids are different man. I think that’s part of the reason these old school coaches are less and less popular. 

[BCAS Baritone]

George Blanda

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Blanda

 

He was 43 when he relieved Daryl Lamonica in the AFC Championship game.  He played another 5 years but only as a kicker.

[Dr.Sack]

Josh is about to turn the same age Jim Kelly was in 1988, but that’s with a considerable higher odometer reading. I think it comes down to two key factors; having the will, and being healthy. 

[T master]

Not so sure it's the Brady effect i think it has more to do with all the rule changes pertaining to hitting the QB . Defensive players have had to completely revamp their playing styles when it comes to hitting the QB if the inadvertently brush the QB's helmet it's a penalty .

 

Just the rule changes has added a extra probably 5 years to a QB's career which is a good thing but some of the calls like when a D linemen falls on a QB is kind of ridiculous i mean i could see if they are trying to drive them into the ground or slam them but some calls are just comical .

 

Then we have seen just like in the NBA the NFL QB's have taken to being great actors just to draw a foul even when it's not a real bad hit i've seen Josh do it, i guess that has become part of todays game too .

[Don Otreply]

If your GM & HC are willing to supply their older QB an above average quality O-Line then yes a QB can play into his late thirties and early forties with out constantly worrying about brain damage or a crippling injury, older guys break easier and take longer to heal, cough cough Aaron Rodgers cough cough…, 

[billieve420]

Brady is a freak of a nature. I don't think most people have the dedication to the game like he had.

[Man with No Name]

Brees was still really good at 40, and pretty effective his last year at 41, despite not having any arm strength left. Rivers was still good at 39. he left to spend time with his family and because he really really wanted to be a high school football coach for some reason. 

 

40 seems almost a normal end now, with quality seasons until almost the very end. with improving medicine, stem cells, less invasive surgeries, peptides, hgh, etc., it's easy to see mid 40s becoming more regular. I think more than anything it will be the desire rather than the ability that flames out prior to that. It is difficult to imagine that being the case, but im 42 now, and every year it shocks me how much i lose interest in something that brought me 30+ years of joy before. there just comes a time that the juice isn't worth the squeeze anymore. 

[Mr. WEO]

On 2/14/2024 at 12:53 PM, TheFunPolice said:

 

I think there are some specific reasons in those cases though. 

 

Ben didn't seem to believe in exercise and looked like an OT his last season or 2. 

 

Peyton and Rivers suffered a lot of injuries that piled up, and both started playing in a era that allowed a lot more vicious hits. These guys starting off now never played in that NFL.

 

It's certainly true that to play into your 40's you first need to be very good, get a little lucky, but also be committed. The younger guys today are in such better hsape physically that I think it's realistic. 

 

Even Brady talks about how in his 20's he was nowhere near in the type of physical shape he was when he was in his late 30's. He ate burgers, drank beer, and had not yet started drinking kitten blood and eating souls. Not sure about the last part, but I think I heard it somewhere...

 

As has been pointed out, you're basing your thread on one guy ever--and he was uniquely dedicated to his longevity.  

 

Rodgers isn't even 40--he's suddenly going to dedicate his routine to be able to play 5 more years?  Why?

[SirAndrew]

6 hours ago, billieve420 said:

Brady is a freak of a nature. I don't think most people have the dedication to the game like he had.

Agree, and it’s not just physical limitations, much of it is mental. I realize everyone wants more money, no matter their wealth, but I’m sure players think they can make money in other ventures. It’s easier to make money once you have it. I find it hard to believe the fire doesn’t burn out by the time a player reaches their late thirties. It’s a grind, and it must be a greater challenge when you have fewer things left to accomplish. I think that’s human nature, but Brady didn’t think that way. He is simply wired differently than anyone who ever played the game. There has to be a pretty large appeal to retiring in one’s thirties with the opportunity to do whatever you choose. 

[Big Turk]

Depends how well they take care of themselves.

 

The rules limiting how many hits they are going to take is likely playing a large role as well.

[GunnerBill]

QBs will routinely play later than they did a generation ago but I don't think we are going to see lots and lots of guys going into their mid 40s. Manning played until 39, was pretty good still at 38 and had arguably his best year age 37. Ben Roethlisberger was still decent at 38 and had one of his best years at 36. Drew Brees had a great year at 39. Rodgers won MVP at 37....

 

So I think really good into the very twilight of their 30s is the new norm. Really good into their 40s is just Brady. 

[stuvian]

my counter argument is the 17 games season and its toll on players

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Favre, Brees and Brady all had great seasons at age 40 or beyond. But Brees couldn't stay healthy in any of his 40 year old seasons. Favre promptly fell off a cliff at 41 after having arguably the best season of his career at age 40. Brady was great of course. 

 

Besides Favre, Brees and Brady really play the game quite differently than Mahomes and Allen. Both Mahomes and Allen use their legs as weapons not just running the ball but in moving the chains through the air as well. We will have to see how that part of their game holds up or transitions as they start to enter their mid to late 30's. 

 

[HardyBoy]

On 2/15/2024 at 2:13 PM, Man with No Name said:

Brees was still really good at 40, and pretty effective his last year at 41, despite not having any arm strength left. Rivers was still good at 39. he left to spend time with his family and because he really really wanted to be a high school football coach for some reason. 

 

40 seems almost a normal end now, with quality seasons until almost the very end. with improving medicine, stem cells, less invasive surgeries, peptides, hgh, etc., it's easy to see mid 40s becoming more regular. I think more than anything it will be the desire rather than the ability that flames out prior to that. It is difficult to imagine that being the case, but im 42 now, and every year it shocks me how much i lose interest in something that brought me 30+ years of joy before. there just comes a time that the juice isn't worth the squeeze anymore. 

 

Hmm, what is it that you started doing around age 12 that no longer brings you as much joy exactly...

[Saxum]

When NFL has trouble finding talent they will adjust rules to make it easier for QBs to play longer including what enhancements (drugs, vitamins, etc) QBs can take.

Rules will have harsher penalties for injuring QBs even if QB is not even in possession of ball.

[Mr Info]

On 2/16/2024 at 9:05 AM, stuvian said:

my counter argument is the 17 games season and its toll on players

Good point and it will probably be 18 games in a little while.

[Man with No Name]

On 2/17/2024 at 1:25 AM, HardyBoy said:

 

Hmm, what is it that you started doing around age 12 that no longer brings you as much joy exactly...

ummm, playing baseball

[NoSaint]

On 2/14/2024 at 11:57 AM, TheFunPolice said:

A lot has to do with the commitment too. Rivers has like 10 kids, so I could see him wanting to spend more time with family and not wanting to be on the road all the time. 

 

I've heard both Lamar and Mahomes say their goal is to play well into their 40's, so I think younger guys coming in have that idea early on and are taking the steps early on to try to do what Brady did, which he really didn't start doing until he was 35+ years old.

 

 

 

That's a huge part of it: the team around a guy and how things are going. 

 

If you're 40, are still great, are reasonably healthy, and your long time team seems to have a whole bunch of young up and coming star players and a coach you love, then it's a lot easier to commit to a few more years of winning, going to the playoffs, and having chances at the Super Bowl than if you're on New England and stuck in the basement! 

I think you’ve tipped into excusing too much and trying to create a narrative. Can guys play deeper into their career based on better sports science (both upkeep and repairs) and fewer hits? Sure. 
 

is Lamar a guy I’m pointing at while saying rivers etc… took too many big hits? Probably not the dude that’s going deep into his 40s

 

I feel ok saying you’ll probably see a few more guys touch 40 than usual but it’s not the expectation suddenly to be playing top shelf ball then 

 

On 2/16/2024 at 8:01 AM, GunnerBill said:

QBs will routinely play later than they did a generation ago but I don't think we are going to see lots and lots of guys going into their mid 40s. Manning played until 39, was pretty good still at 38 and had arguably his best year age 37. Ben Roethlisberger was still decent at 38 and had one of his best years at 36. Drew Brees had a great year at 39. Rodgers won MVP at 37....

 

So I think really good into the very twilight of their 30s is the new norm. Really good into their 40s is just Brady. 

agree here. We’ve added a third full length contract as the expectation to be able to complete (or come close) but not a 4th 

[Doc]

No.

[Bill from NYC]

On 2/14/2024 at 3:18 PM, Dr.Sack said:

Josh is about to turn the same age Jim Kelly was in 1988, but that’s with a considerable higher odometer reading. I think it comes down to two key factors; having the will, and being healthy. 

Having the will is key. Some QBs make 50 million per season. In 5 years that is a quarter of a billion dollars, this without the advertisements. That is enough to make many people lose the necessary drive imo. If I had a couple hundred million dollars, I would not want to get hit by Matt Milano. No thank you.

 

This is now starting to effect college players due to NIL. Most college football players come from poor backgrounds. In some cases very poor. I think that this gave many of these kids the ability/desire to do what it takes to succeed. The Georgia QB just bought a Lamborghini. https://www.si.com/college/2024/02/06/georgia-bulldogs-qb-carson-beck-lamborghini-urus-performante

Do you think that he will be out partying with lit or let it sit in the driveway? 

 

In any event the NFL rule changes really do protect the QB, to the point where they can have longer careers no doubt. I do however think that the huge salaries will keep the numers down wrt QBs over 40.

 

Jmo.

 

Edited February 18 by Bill from NYC