Even one of Tom Brady’s accomplished former New England teammates believes the 42-year-old quarterback finally is starting to show his age.
“The Patriots, they have a lot of problems. They’re in trouble,” former safety and current NBC analyst Rodney Harrison said Monday during an appearance on “The Mike Tirico Podcast.” “They have to try to fabricate to create some offense. They’re very frustrated, and you can start to see that Tom Brady, he’s just not the same player.”
The six-time Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP heard rare boos from the Foxborough faithful during Sunday’s 23-16 loss to Kansas City, the Pats’ second in a row and third in five games following an 8-0 start.
Brady has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in two of his last three starts, and his passer rating for the season of 86.5 marks his lowest figure since 2003. That number also ranks 22nd among eligible passers in the NFL this season, one notch below oft-criticized Chicago starter Mitch Trubisky.
Brady completed 19 of 36 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception Sunday against the Chiefs, and he showed up to his post-game press conference with his right elbow heavily wrapped. He also lit into his teammates on the sidelines during last week’s loss to Houston.
“When I’m looking at the Patriots, it’s almost a sense of panic,” Harrison said. “You see Tom Brady blow up last week and you see the frustration. Even when you look at coach Belichick, he’s blowing up, swearing (on the sideline) and things like that. So you’re starting to see a lot of panic from the guys in charge.”
Harrison also noted that “nobody’s afraid of them” anymore, especially after the three losses to AFC foes Baltimore, Houston and Kansas City over the past five games.

