Tom Brady’s Early Career Is an Important Reminder of How Quarterbacks – Like Mitch Trubisky – Develop

Comparisons to the Eagles and Rams were unavoidable for the Bears this season, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Both of those teams crafted blueprints worth copying and paths worth following. Indeed, that the Bears were able to pull from those teams to create their own success in 2018 says a lot about how those teams were built.

But during Super Bowl week, a different comparison came to my head while listening to one of Tom Brady’s press conferences in Atlanta. And while I’d like to do a deeper dive on the Bears-Rams comp to figure out a way for Matt Nagy to avoid Sean McVay’s fate, something caught my ear when Brady spoke.

When asked about which ways he is better (or worse) than he was during New England’s Super Bowl run, Brady provided an introspective look at his growth as a player:

“I think I’m a better player now than I was in 2001. I don’t think I was the best player I could possibly be at that point. There’s been a lot of work and effort over the years to try to get to where I’m at now. It’s really about playing at a championship level. I think that takes a different shape every year based on how the team is set up. My first few years, we relied very heavily on the defense to keep the scores low. I kind of did my part situationally where I needed to when I was called upon. And as things have changed, and as our offense has developed and grown, we’ve become more efficient on offense. I’d say we’re a pretty balanced team now.”

A reliance on defense to keep scores low while an offense develops. What a concept! It sounds awfully familiar, though … doesn’t it?

Long before Tom Brady was the G.O.A.T., he was a sixth-round pick from Michigan who, at one point during his college career, was pushed to second string by the Wolverines in order to secure a commitment from hot-shot high school prospect Drew Henson.

And well before Brady was ever mentioned among the all-time greats, he was essentially a game-manager for an offense that ranked sixth in points, but 19th in yards. He said it himself: Brady played situational football while a defense that featured future Hall of Fame cornerback Ty Law, Pro Bowl talents such as Lawyer Malloy, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Richard Seymour, and Mike Vrabel did most of the heavy lifting (and of course, Adam Vinatieri was there to clean up with all of the important clutch kicks). This was the Patriots’ original blueprint, one that the Bears nearly nailed (save for that whole kicking thing). And it worked on the grandest of stages.

As Brady has developed, so has the Patriots offense. And as Brady points out, the team is now far more balanced than what it was in 2001. With the benefit of hindsight and honesty from the quarterback pulling the strings at the game’s most important position, we now see how a dynasty was born.

None of this is to say Trubisky is the next Brady, Matt Nagy is the next Bill Belichick, or the Bears the next NFL dynasty. Far from it. HOWEVER, thinking back to Brady’s humble beginnings should remind you of the importance of development and how long it can take.

It should also serve as a reminder of how much work went into Brady going from where he was then to where he is today. Brady played situational football and excelled at it while he was growing, and the only reason it was allowed to happen that way was because the defense and special teams didn’t put the pressure on him to do more than he was capable of doing. The Bears put Trubisky in that same situation in 2018, and he did all he could to get the team where it was by year’s end.

So while comparisons to Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are timely, there is a timelessness aspect of what Brady and the Patriots have done. If one aspires to be great, then why stop at modeling yourself after Wentz and Goff. Shoot for the moon. The path has been set out there before you, so why not follow it?

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

How to Watch Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

On Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Cleveland Guardians (1-0), led by Jose Ramirez, visit Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Athletics and when does...

more bears news