Former NFL quarterback and Fox analyst Tom Brady recently weighed in on the controversy surrounding a late hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, expressing “mixed emotions” and suggesting that quarterbacks need to take better care of themselves when leaving the pocket to run. Brady appeared on Fox’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” and argued that the responsibility of protecting a running quarterback doesn’t solely fall on the defense. His comments came after the NFL suspended Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for three games for the hit that concussed Lawrence, with Al-Shaair appealing the suspension.
Brady shared a personal anecdote from his playing career where he took a crushing hit after sliding late and emphasized the need for quarterbacks to be mindful of their safety. He also mentioned that offensive coordinators should consider calling fewer designed runs for quarterbacks to help protect them.
Al-Shaair, the linebacker responsible for the hit on Lawrence, apologized for the incident, stating that he genuinely didn’t see Lawrence sliding until it was too late. Texans general manager Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair, expressing frustration at the backlash the linebacker has received and highlighting his positive contributions to the team.
Brady’s comments have sparked discussions about the roles of both offensive and defensive players in protecting quarterbacks, as well as the need for a balanced approach to addressing player safety in the NFL. The issue of player safety, particularly for mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, remains a topic of concern in the league. The Texans are set to host the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15 after a break.
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