Both current and former Denver Broncos players are up in arms following recent comments from retired NFL superstar Tom Brady.
In a recent interview on the “Champion Mindset” podcast, Brady said that he saw players on NFL practice squads excel in practices, and get called up to active rosters, only to seemingly not be prepared to meet the moment of the bright lights.
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“These (practice squad players) are like, they weren’t prepared for (being on the active roster),” said Brady. “So whatever we saw in practice against where there was not a lot of pressure, now when they’re put in a situation where there’s an expectation for performance, they’ve never had to personally deal with that and then they fail. And then what I realized was, a lot of guys on those practice squads, they don’t want to be elevated to the roster. They’re very happy living this life where they could tell their family and friends, which I have no problem with that.”
Current Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who has spent time on several practice squad rosters, took exception to Brady’s words. “Haven’t met one person who is okay with just being on the PSquad,” tweeted Humphrey, who linked his response to Brady’s comments below.
Former Denver backup quarterback Ben DiNucci also had an issue with how Brady characterized practice squad players. “I’ve never met a p squad player in my 6 year career that wasn’t trying every week to get elevated,” DiNucci tweeted.
Practice squads are an important part of any team, and arguably have to work even harder to make a 53-man roster, whether it be before the season starts, or once games begin. Several things have to happen in order for them to get called up to the starting roster. While they are still recognized as being part of winning teams, including receiving Super Bowl rings, many would undoubtedly rather be on the field playing than playing the role of understudy.
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The Broncos will be in the process of roster construction for the better part of the next two months, including piecing together their practice squad in late August and early September ahead of the 2026 season.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Ex-QB and WR disagree with Tom Brady’s comments