Mixed reviews for Tom Brady's first NFL broadcast with FOX Sports

Making his debut as an NFL commentator for FOX Sports on Sunday, Tom Brady sounded like... well, a rookie.

He said so as much in the second quarter: “I’m still a rookie in here.”

Brady's presence loomed large over the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns game on Sunday, and the lopsided score didn't help shrink that. Brady's performance was front and center with the on-field product producing a blowout.

Grading Tom Brady's first broadcast on FOX Sports

The Ringer's Bryan Curtis summed up the start of Brady's debut on the mic on X, "Through three drives, Tom Brady sounds like a rookie QB who's getting used to the speed of the game."

After some initial three-and-outs, Brady did settle into more of a groove. Brady did airmail an open receiver when rules analyst Mike Pereira missed his initial attempt at a fist bump. They did recover as Brady quipped, "Don't leave me hanging!"

Brady showed some shades of Tony Romo late in the first quarter. Brady circled Dallas Cowboy edge rusher Micah Parsons on a third down and implored the Browns to chip him. Cleveland obliged, but Parsons beat the double team to sack Deshaun Watson and force a punt.

At times, Brady's cadence was inconsistent, but did improve during the broadcast.

More: Tom Brady's makes NFL announcer debut in booth, here's how he opened the broadcast

Play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt helped ease Brady into the game.

Overall grade - C: Brady started slow before settling into a groove. A lopsided game left him more on an island, but his evaluation of the quarterback play was high level. His ability to riff wasn't quite up to bar with his past experience hosting Saturday Night Live. His announcing debut was more akin to Brady's first Super Bowl run in New England than his last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Who did Tom Brady replace on FOX?

Greg Olsen was previously in the analyst spot on FOX Sports' top broadcast team. Olsen called Super Bowl LVII with Burkhardt in 2023 when the Kansas Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35.

Olsen was on the FOX Sports' 'B team' on Sunday and called the Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Tom Brady's contract with FOX Sports

Brady signed a 10-year, $375-million contract with FOX Sports in 2022. That contract is worth more than he made during his 23-year playing career (just shy of $333 million).

Tom Brady Week 2's broadcast

During the Cowboys-Browns game, the Burkhardt announced that their announcing crew, including Brady, will call the Cowboys again next week, as Dallas hosts New Orleans.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mixed reviews for Tom Brady's first NFL broadcast with FOX Sports