Tom Brady still looks unstoppable at 38 years old, and the New York Jets certainly have noticed.
The Jets and New England Patriots will square off in their first AFC East rivalry game of the season Sunday, and we’ll see two totally different teams from last year. However, the one thing that has remained unchanged for over a decade is Brady, and that had the Jets raving about the Patriots quarterback.
In fact, he even drew a comparison to one of the greatest athletes ever.
“When (Michael) Jordan was up there in age, he was still one of the best in the league,” Jets linebackers coach Mike Caldwell told the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta on Wednesday. “Jordan developed a post-up game. So you can always add something.
“This year, (Brady’s) getting the ball out quicker. He’s scrambling just enough. He’s stepping up in the pocket. He’s 38, but his game’s evolving just like Jordan. When you can’t jump and dunk anymore, you find another way. And that way is going to be just as successful if you put the time in.”
Brady is in his 16th NFL season, and he already has racked up 1,699 passing yards with 14 touchdowns through five games. He has a 70.6 completion percentage and a 118.4 passer rating. And some Jets are wondering if that’ll ever stop.
“He’s ageless,” outside linebacker Calvin Pace told Mehta. “I’m pretty sure he’ll be out there when he’s 45 still doing the same thing. … It seems like he hasn’t had any drop-off. He’s still making the same plays. If anything, he’s gotten better with age.”
Brady said Wednesday that he’d like to play 10 more years, but Caldwell actually believes the QB can play just a little bit longer.
“Forever,” Caldwell said.
Thumbnail photo via Thomas J. Russo/USA TODAY Sports Images