In a thought-provoking take on NFL safety protocols, legendary quarterback Tom Brady has suggested a controversial solution to reduce late hits on quarterbacks: penalize the quarterbacks themselves for sliding too late.
During a recent discussion on the complexities of player safety, Brady remarked, “Maybe they fine or penalize a quarterback for sliding late. And say look, if we don’t want these hits to take place, we’ve got to penalize the offense and the defense rather than just penalize a defensive player.”
The idea stems from the growing concern that defenders are often unfairly penalized for hits on quarterbacks who initiate their slides too late—making it nearly impossible for defenders to avoid contact. Brady’s proposal shifts some responsibility to the offensive side, advocating for a more balanced approach to enforcement.
This suggestion has sparked debate across the NFL community. Supporters argue it could lead to more decisive and timely quarterback slides, enhancing safety for both offensive and defensive players. Critics, however, worry it could further complicate an already subjective area of officiating and discourage quarterbacks from scrambling altogether.
Whether the NFL takes this recommendation seriously remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Tom Brady is once again challenging the league to think differently about quarterback protection and fairness on the field.
What’s your take—should quarterbacks be penalized for sliding late?