The NFL Combine was underwhelming for Tom Brady before he was selected in the sixth round of the draft, but he went on to become the greatest quarterback in football history
08:00 ET, 27 Feb 2026
Tom Brady had an underwhelming performance at the NFL Combine in 2000 before being drafted by the New England Patriots
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Tom Brady had an underwhelming performance at the NFL Combine in 2000 before being drafted by the New England Patriots(Image: 2000 - The Boston Globe)
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady had a memorable NFL Combine back in 2000, though not for the right reasons, as fans had no idea that he would become the greatest quarterback of all time.
The NFL Combine is an annual event held in Indianapolis where top college football prospects are evaluated by coaches, scouts, and medical personnel ahead of the NFL Draft. The event is invitation-only, but projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza isn't expected to throw this year.
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Brady could select Mendoza this year as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, who will have the first pick. However, when Brady was at the NFL Combine, he wasn't deemed a top prospect, and his performance didn't boost his chances.
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The New England Patriots selected Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, after an unimpressive combine. Ever since, his slow 40-yard dash time has resurfaced on social media, as has a photo of the quarterback looking slim in his Combine gear.
In the 40-yard dash, Brady finished in 5.28 seconds, which was the second-slowest among all quarterbacks. His 20-yard short shuttle was 4.38 seconds, while his vertical jump was 24.5 inches.
Brady did not participate in the bench press, broad jump, or 60-yard shuttle, but was selected 199th overall by the Patriots. Given his legendary career, it serves as a reminder that players shouldn't be solely judged on their Combine performances.
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The NFL legend has grown accustomed to seeing his Combine mocked, but remains a good sport about it. Back in 2017, Brady reflected on his career after finding his Combine shirt.
"I found my combine shirt from 17 years ago and it got me thinking," Brady wrote on Instagram. He then listed the criticism he received at the time, before later proving everyone wrong.
"Poor build, Skinny, Lacks great physical stature and strength, Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush, Lacks a really strong arm, Can’t drive the ball downfield, Does not throw a really tight spiral, System-type player who can get exposed if forced to ad lib, Gets knocked down easily," he added.
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One area of his physique did stand out: his 6-foot-4 height was among the tallest among quarterbacks in 2000. Brady was the seventh quarterback taken that year and was listed as the fourth-string on the Patriots' roster heading into the 2000 NFL season.
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At the start of the 2001 season, everything changed for Brady, the Patriots, and the NFL. Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe in Week 2, took over as the starter, and led the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory.
That was the first of six Super Bowls that Brady would win with the Patriots over 20 seasons, before he eventually left the organization. Brady then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and guided the franchise to another Super Bowl success.
Brady finally retired after the 2022 NFL season and took a year off before signing a 10-year, $375 million contract with FOX Sports. Brady is now in the booth on Sunday alongside Kirk Herbstreit, offering his analysis on NFL games.