NFL legend Tom Brady sharply criticized what has been described as a “soft” mentality among today’s athletes, arguing that many are unwilling to accept criticism for poor performance and instead turn to social media to shift blame externally.

In a recent appearance on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast—hosted by former NHL players Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney, and Keith Yandle—Brady addressed broader cultural shifts in sports during a discussion recorded at the NHL Winter Classic in Miami earlier this month.

“But why do we need these coaches that are like… I always point out first like all the mistakes I made, and I’m like, ‘Jesus Christ,'” Brady wondered. “Why is that? Why is this generation so…”

“Soft?” Yandle wondered. That’s when the seven-time Super Bowl champ really let loose.

Tom Brady Has Some Thoughts on Soft NFL Players

Tom Brady tried to dance around the term “soft” a bit, but he still didn’t exactly hold back when talking about today’s NFL players.

“Well, they’re just unwilling to take criticism for lack of performance,” Brady said. “Like, why do we allow this with parents? Why do we allow it in schools?”

“Why do we allow it with coaching, where it’s okay to mess up and screw up in front of your teammates because you’re not prepared or you didn’t put the effort in? Why can’t we call people out on that?”

The five-time Super Bowl MVP, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, extended his critique to the role of social media in exacerbating team dysfunction. He described how athletes often avoid personal responsibility after losses by immediately checking their phones and pointing fingers elsewhere.

“Why do you have to apologize for trying to get the best out of somebody?” he added.

“I mean, how bad is it, teams where, you know, you’re always pointing the finger at somebody else and looking to — again, today’s culture — you lose a game, you pick up your phone, you open your social media. Who do we blame for this? Or your parents? Oh, so-and-so is the reason, or you know, your agent; ‘Oh man, he’s the reason why you’re losing,'” Brady said.

“And it just fractures this team. These people aren’t involved in your team, right? They don’t know.”

There are so many college kids who need to hear this from Tom Brady. You know, the ones who start off soft well before they ever become NFL players.

“In my era of quarterback, we had more depth and quality than there is now” -Tom Brady @spittinchiclets pic.twitter.com/uwtHg10H0J

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 13, 2026

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Made Similar Comments in the Past

This isn’t the first time Brady has sounded a little bit like an old man knocking the younger generation. And I’m not knocking for it, because he’s spot on when i tomces to these soft NFL players.

During an appearance on Kevin Hart’s interview series, Cold as Balls, in September, Brady noted that while today’s players have more opportunities, they also face greater distractions and are often “coddled” with gentle suggestions rather than strict demands to work hard.

“I think there are more challenges for the generation of quarterbacks in some ways. But for the guys that take advantage of it, I think it’s more opportunities for them, too,” Brady explained. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for them to succeed and, at the same time, there are challenges because there are a lot more distractions.”

“Everyone is coddled a little bit more,” Brady continued. “Whereas, opposed to saying, ‘Hey, you better come in and get the work done,’ it’s kind of like, ‘Hey, you probably should do this.’ The guys that are really gonna have the great work ethic, they’re gonna really be able to succeed.”

On the flip side, Brady’s early career benefited from controversial calls like the infamous “Tuck Rule” decision in the 2001 playoffs, which handed the Patriots a questionable victory over the Raiders en route to his first title and spun a narrtive that he, himself, was soft.

Fans may also argue that a system that included meticulous protection of its quarterback cushioned Brady’s rise to stardom. Critics argue that his success was partly due to fortunate calls and a supportive organization.

What say you? Are players more coddled today than they were when Brady played?