In a recent edition of ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown," former NFL quarterback Alex Smith criticized Tom Brady's scalding take on the perceived lack of "excellence" in today's NFL. Smith, along with fellow panelists Rex Ryan, Randy Moss, and Tedy Bruschi, engaged in a heated discussion about the quality of the game and the competitiveness of Brady's former division, the AFC East.

Smith took issue with Brady's comments, pointing out that the seven-time Super Bowl champion had only recently retired and had just won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February 2021. He questioned whether Brady was discounting this recent achievement.

The former quarterback also argued that Brady played in what he considered "the most uncompetitive division in NFL history." Smith was referring to the AFC East, where Brady competed as a member of the New England Patriots from 2000 to 2019. During his tenure, the Patriots won an impressive 17 division titles.

Smith contended that the AFC East was an easy route to the playoffs, calling it a "cupcake division." He suggested that it provided a ticket to the postseason without much competition.

Although Smith's comments were met with smiles from Moss and Bruschi, Ryan, the former Jets coach, playfully shook his head, remaining impartial during the discussion.

Smith went on to argue that the game has actually improved over time, with more parity across the league and the presence of exceptionally talented athletes playing the quarterback position. He expressed his belief that the game has evolved for the better due to increased competition and rule changes.

Smith's comments came in response to Brady's recent appearance on "The Stephen A. Smith Show," where the retired quarterback expressed his view on the current state of the NFL. Brady suggested that there was "mediocrity" in today's game and mentioned a decline in coaching, player development, and strategies.

Brady's statement sparked a debate among football fans, with Smith providing a counterargument based on his own experiences in the league. These differing opinions regarding the state of the NFL have added fuel to the ongoing conversation about the quality of the game.

The debate between Smith and Brady is likely to continue, especially as Brady transitions into his new role as Fox Sports' lead NFL analyst next season. His insights and perspectives on the game are anticipated to generate further discussion and analysis within the football community.

Title: Former NFL Quarterback Alex Smith Clashes with Tom Brady over "Lack of Excellence" Comment