Former NFL superstar Tom Brady recently shared his thoughts on what it takes for top quarterbacks like Joe Burrow to reach the pinnacle of success in professional football. Brady commented on the leadership and organizational roles quarterbacks must embrace beyond just their on-field performance, addressing Burrow and other elite players as the 2025 season approaches. His message centers on the need to influence not only gameplay but also the broader team and management strategies to secure a Super Bowl victory.
Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals’ standout quarterback, has rapidly established himself as one of the premier talents in the NFL. Since being the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, the 28-year-old has twice earned Pro Bowl honors and the Comeback Player of the Year award, transforming the Bengals into serious contenders. Burrow’s leadership helped guide Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI and consecutive AFC Championship appearances in just his second and third seasons, although he has yet to claim a Super Bowl title.
Brady’s Perspective on Ownership and Leadership Beyond the Game
In a recent interview on the Joel Klatt Show, Brady emphasized the importance of quarterbacks taking greater ownership at an organizational level. While praising the immense talent of players like Burrow, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, Brady challenged them to expand their influence by actively engaging with the coaching staff, personnel departments, and defensive units during the offseason. He highlighted that success does not come from merely fulfilling individual statistical goals like throwing touchdowns, but requires a holistic commitment to the entire team’s success.
“They’ve all shown flashes of amazing things. They’re all great players. All of them can make tremendous plays, They need to take the next step and take, in my mind, more ownership of what they’re doing in terms of the organizational level to do more things, to empower more people, to get more people on that train or that bus with you to head in the direction you want to go. I just don’t think as a quarterback, you go and you punch the clock: ‘I did my job. I threw for 40 touchdowns. Why are we not winning?’ What are you doing in the offseason to help your defense? What are you doing to push the personnel department to get people doing the right thing? Are you involved in game planning? I used to do game plans. I used to walk in there and say, ‘these are the things we’re doing.’ OK, I used to do my own walkthroughs. I used to go, ‘alright, guys, I don’t give a f*** if the coaches want to come. We’re doing our walkthrough. We’re going to come up with our own signals.’ Because this is what I need to be on the field to be successful.”
—Tom Brady, NFL Legend
The Benchmark Set by Patrick Mahomes and the Challenges Ahead
Brady also underscored Patrick Mahomes as the current gold standard among NFL quarterbacks, noting the Kansas City Chiefs’ remarkable achievement of reaching the Super Bowl four times in the last five seasons and winning three of them. Though Burrow and Brady are among the few quarterbacks who have defeated Mahomes in the playoffs, that elusive Super Bowl win remains a decisive marker for top-tier success. Another quarterback who has joined this elite group is Jalen Hurts, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a playoff victory over the Chiefs last season.
Brady’s admiration for Mahomes’ consistency and clutch performances was clear: he highlighted how Mahomes’ habit and work ethic make him dependable under pressure, qualities that Brady himself embodied throughout his career.
“In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most.”
@TomBrady says this NFL QB reminds him most of himself because of the habits and work ethic that it takes to win.
—Tom Brady, NFL Legend
Implications for Joe Burrow and Fellow Quarterbacks in Their Pursuit of Glory
Brady’s remarks signal a major challenge for Joe Burrow and other leading quarterbacks who have demonstrated exceptional skill but have yet to capture a championship ring. The emphasis on taking control beyond the athletic display—becoming deeply involved in offseason preparations, defensive support, and personnel decisions—may redefine how elite quarterbacks approach leadership. For Burrow, this could mean further evolving his role as the face of the Bengals and rallying more comprehensive support within the organization to push for a Super Bowl victory.
As the NFL season progresses, the impact of such lessons from a seven-time Super Bowl winner like Tom Brady could influence how Burrow, Allen, Jackson, and others pursue the ultimate prize. The convergence of talent, leadership, and full organizational engagement may be the missing element that propels these quarterbacks over the finish line.