Following their big win in the Rose Bowl against Alabama, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and his team celebrated the first National Championship appearance since 1997. In a press conference after the game, Harbaugh made a claim that turned the heads of college football fans and analysts. He told reporters that his quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan college football history. One former Michigan quarterback and NFL legend, Tom Brady, responded to Harbaugh’s claim, shocking people more than Harbaugh’s comments.
Quite the compliments: pic.twitter.com/w8sDMJBLlZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2024
Tom Brady Responds To Jim Harbaugh
Brady responded to Harbaugh’s claim in Spots Center’s post on Instagram in the comments section by saying “Go Blue!!! No Doubt!!!”. Many football fans had mixed reactions to Harbaugh’s claim, with some saying that Brady is better than McCarthy, while others are saying that Brady did not do as much for Michigan as McCarthy is doing for them.
Don’t ever compare JJ McCarthy to Tom Brady, that kid is a poor man’s Zach Wilson at best. https://t.co/vvfFi5z1Mf
— Michael Magaletta (@mikemagz07) January 2, 2024
Jim Harbaugh on JJ McCarthy: “I've said it before, but right here, this is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan – college football history. Got a long way to go to get to get where Tom Brady eventually got to, which is the GOAT. But in a college career there's been…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 2, 2024
Tom Brady if he was in the same locker room as jj McCarthy: I can beat this guy.
— Juan Ayala (@Jfeisty__) January 2, 2024
Jim Harbaugh says JJ McCarthy is the best QB in Michigan football history.
A long way to go to catch the GOAT at the pro level, Tom Brady, but the best in Michigan history.
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) January 2, 2024
MICHIGAN!!!!! JJ MCCARTHY IS TOM BRADY JR!!!!! THE COMEBACK KID!!!!! GET THIS KID ON THE PATRIOTS RIGHT NOW!!!!! MH JR AND JJ!!!!
— SIGN BELLO, DURAN & CASAS (@ParquetPride17) January 2, 2024
Brady amounted to 4,773 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a 134.9 passer rating during his time with the University. McCarthy has gone for 6,086 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and a 161.6 passer rating in his three years with the Wolverines up to this point. It is clear that McCarthy has done better for the school statistically, but the argument comes from how successful Brady has been throughout his career in the NFL.
J.J. McCarthy
Several fans believe that McCarthy will not have a successful career in the NFL, especially like the one that Brady had. It would be hard to emulate arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, which is why fans are saying that Brady was better when he was with the college. On the contrary, the argument does not include Brady’s time with the Wolverines, and if you look at the statistics, McCarthy has done significantly better, especially with a trip to the National Championship coming up.
No matter what your opinion is on either one of these quarterbacks, you cannot deny that McCarthy has been at least one of the greatest quarterbacks in Michigan football history. If he can win the National Championship coming up, it will further solidify his legacy as one of if not the best quarterbacks in the school’s history.
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