NFL Fans React After Tom Brady Harshly Criticizes Justin Herbert On Air

While handling lead analyst duties for Fox during Sunday’s contest between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Buffalo Bills, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady didn’t hold back when evaluating a mistake by Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter.

Holding a tight three-point advantage early in the final stanza, the Chargers faced a third-and-5 situation deep in Buffalo territory when their franchise quarterback forced a rushed attempt into heavy coverage. Bills defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson easily tracked the ball, stepping directly in front of the intended target for a massive, game-changing interception.

Breaking down the turnover live for viewers across the country, Brady offered an unvarnished critique laced with a food reference that instantly caught the attention of users on social media.

“Herbert trying to throw down the middle of the field… But there’s a safety in the middle of the field,” Brady says on the broadcast. “Poor awareness, poor decision, throws him a meatball sub.”

Borrowing a page from baseball commentary—where a “meatball” pitch describes an easy, center-plate delivery begging to be hit out of the park—Brady’s sandwich analogy struck a massive chord with viewers online, quickly making the rounds across X.

Fans immediately flooded social media to praise and laugh at Brady’s evolving, unfiltered broadcast style. FOX Sports even shared the moment on X with the caption “Not the meatball sub reference.” One of the comments under the post read, “Brady’s straight up is my favorite commentator since to John Madden. The meatball sub line had me crackin up” followed by several laughing emojis.”

One user also reshared the clip of Brady’s commentary on X and wrote “Tom Brady cooked Justin Herbert.” Another user on X wrote: “tom brady can’t disguise how disgusted he is with herbert right now lmao.”

Not the meatball sub reference 😭

@TomBrady @NFLonFOX https://t.co/jarDKtcMvY

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 27, 2026

The costly turnover completely turned the game’s momentum on its head. Instead of padding their lead or coming away with safe points, the Chargers watched Buffalo capitalize on the mistake and pull away for a 24-16 victory, plunging Los Angeles into a 0-3 start to the season.

For the quarterback turned analyst, the viral moment is just the latest instance of his growing comfort in the booth. After previously generating major internet buzz for dropping the phrase “piss missile” during game coverage to describe a pass thrown by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to teammate CeeDee Lamb, Brady once again showed his panache for delivering sharp, highly entertaining analysis.