‘Played Football Like He Had Hip Replacements’ — 6-Time NFL Pro Bowler Labels Tom Brady, Peyton Manning the ‘Least Athletic’ QBs He Ever Faced

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. Dominating the 2000s and 2010s, they cemented unparalleled legacies on the gridiron.

But even with all of their accomplishments, they were far from athletic marvels. Moreover, a star defender who played against both of them believes they were two more underwhelming QBs in the league from an athletic standpoint.

Former NFL Star Gives Backhanded Compliment to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning

Drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Gerald McCoy was a dominant defensive tackle during his time in the league. Earning six Pro Bowl selections, his defensive insight is hard to underestimate.

Making an appearance on the "Dan Patrick Show," he revealed who was at the top of the list of his least athletic quarterbacks that he went up against during the 2010s.

"Probably Tom Brady," McCoy admitted. "He's got incredible pocket feel. His pocket presence is ridiculous. But that moving and running, oh my goodness. Tom, I love you."

Then, when prodded about Manning, he added, "Oh, yeah, Peyton [Manning] is in there. You're right. You know what, Dan [Patrick]? You might be right. That guy, Peyton…He played football like he had already had hip replacements."

McCoy ultimately conceded that Manning was at the top (or bottom) of the list, especially in some traits he even shared with his brother, Eli Manning. For him, the two were certain that they weren't going to take hits and risk injury.

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Despite the physical attributes required to play in the NFL, the quarterback position has been uniquely distinct. While the league is now seeing some uniquely athletic individuals succeed at the position, some of the all-time greats were pure pocket passers.

By McCoy's account, both Manning and Brady fall into that category. But their limitations athletically did not limit their production or dominance. The two combined for nine Super Bowl championships and eight AP NFL MVP awards.

For today's quarterbacks, though, the game has become wildly different. With offense becoming a bigger priority for the league as a whole, the need to be dual-threats who can potentially avoid negative plays and instead make something happen out of a scramble has become a near necessity.

Quarterback rushing has become a much bigger part of the modern NFL, with designed runs remaining well above early-2010s levels and scrambles reaching record levels in recent seasons. And that is reflected in the players themselves, who make it a priority to be lethal with their legs.