Bill Belichick says defending Tom Brady is ‘as tough as any quarterback there is or ever has been’

Bill Belichick has a job that no one envies. He has to prepare the New England Patriots defense for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If anyone knows just how difficult it is to beat Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, it’s Belichick. They spent two decades together.

Ahead of Patriots-Buccaneers in Week 4, Belichick fielded a simple question which he found amusing enough to flash a rare smirk.

Does Belichick consider Brady a tough quarterback to defend?

“Consider him a tough quarterback to defend? Is that the question? Yeah,” Belichick said Wednesday during a press conference. “He’s as tough as any quarterback there is or ever has been. Enough said.

“His numbers are incredible. He’s about to pass the all-time passing record. He’s done more than any other player at that position. Whatever measurement you want to take, whether it’s yards, completions, touchdowns, championships, you name it. Put anything out there you want,” said Belichick. “It doesn’t get any tougher than that.”

This will be the first — and perhaps only — matchup between Belichick and Brady. But with Brady, you never know. The quarterback has said he intends to play until he’s 45. Past that, he’ll evaluate on a year-to-year basis. At this point, some wonder if Brady will play until he’s 50, something not even Belichick doubts is possible.

Unsurprisingly, Belichick faced a few questions about Brady during Wednesday’s press conference.

“Tom has had an unbelievable career. There are not enough superlatives and adjectives to compliment him on everything he has achieved and continues to achieves,” Belichick said. “Unbelievably impressive.”

“Rob (Gronkowski) and Tom have done a lot for this organization and for me, and I appreciate everything they’ve done. I have a ton of respect for them. But we’re going to do what we can to make them not enjoy the night, and I’m sure they’ll do the same for us. Look forward to the opportunity and the challenge and I look forward to Sunday night.”

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