Brady calls Rodgers NFL’s best pure passer, names six QBs

Tom Brady said on June 22, 2026 that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the greatest “pure passer” in NFL history, pointing to the way the ball comes off Rodgers’ hand and arrives with velocity, spin and accuracy. Brady made the comments during a podcast appearance while discussing which quarterbacks he enjoys watching and what separates top throwers from the rest.

Brady framed the assessment as a technique-based comparison rather than a résumé debate. He said Rodgers’ mechanics and ball placement stand out, and suggested only a handful of quarterbacks in league history have been able to throw the football in a similar way.

Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP who previously played for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets before joining the Steelers. Brady’s remarks echoed similar praise he has given Rodgers in the past, reinforcing that the view was not a one-off comparison.

In the same conversation, Brady also reiterated that he has no intention of returning to play. The seven-time Super Bowl champion said he is fully retired after a 23-season career.

What Brady emphasized in Rodgers’ throwing

Brady’s description focused on repeatable traits: the release, the tight spiral and the pace of the throw, paired with consistent placement. He presented “pure passing” as the act of delivering the football with efficiency and precision, distinct from broader quarterback evaluation that can also include mobility, leadership and postseason outcomes.

By separating skills from career accomplishments, Brady avoided a rings-based ranking and instead narrowed his point to the craft of throwing. The way he described Rodgers suggested an elite benchmark for arm talent and control, even in a league that increasingly values off-script creation.

Six active quarterbacks Brady said he enjoys watching

Brady also named six current quarterbacks he most enjoys watching: Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. He said he appreciates different styles, from timing and processing in the pocket to improvisation and dual-threat athleticism.

Brady’s perspective is shaped by his recent work as a broadcaster, which has exposed him to a wide range of offensive systems. He indicated that the variety has reinforced how different approaches can succeed at the position, depending on scheme, protection and decision-making.

Why Jared Goff stood out in Brady’s list

One notable inclusion was Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, a pocket-based passer Brady highlighted after a 2025 season in which Goff threw for 4,564 yards and 34 touchdowns. Brady’s praise aligned with the profile of an offense built around rhythm throws, quick processing and accuracy.

The figures were cited as the fourth time in Goff’s career that he has posted at least 4,500 passing yards and 30 or more touchdown passes. The source material described that as the fourth-most such seasons in NFL history, behind only Drew Brees, Brady and Peyton Manning.

What to watch heading into the season

Attention now shifts to Rodgers and the other quarterbacks Brady highlighted as teams move toward the upcoming season, with Brady’s comments offering a snapshot of how an all-time great evaluates passing talent.