Here’s What Bill Belichick Had to Say About Peyton Manning Following Qb’s Hall of Fame Induction

The sky was the limit for Peyton Manning when he entered the NFL as the first overall pick back in 1998. Joining the Indianapolis Colts, big things were expected from the quarterback. And Manning only went on to exceed those expectations. 

A record five-time NFL MVP and two time Super Bowl champion, Peyton Manning retired in 2015 as one of the greatest quarterbacks to have played the sport.    

His resume is such that it rightfully got him a first-ballot nomination to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But despite Manning’s successes, the quarterback can’t help but imagine how much he could’ve achieved had it not been for the New England Patriots. 

Throughout his career, Manning’s arch-nemesis remained the Patriots led by Head Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Clashing multiple times over the years, Manning’s duels with the Patriots have produced some all-time classics. 

Be it with the Colts or the Denver Broncos, the Patriots would almost always find a way to make things difficult for Manning. But with the Manning now enshrined among the many greats to have played the sport, Bill Belichick had this to say about the legendary quarterback.

Belichick reserves the highest praise for Peyton Manning

Bill Belichick is the master of defense. An offensive coordinator back in his heyday, quarterbacks have struggled to find a way past his impenetrable defensive units. But Peyton Manning was an exception. 

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With Manning’s induction into the Hall of Fame, Bill Belichick reflected on the legacy left behind by Peyton Manning in the NFL.

“He is definitely the best quarterback I’ve coached against,” Belichick said while talking to the Boston Globe via NBC Sports. “There have been quarterbacks who called their own plays, but it was nowhere near the same as what he did.”

Manning faced off against Belichick’s Patriots five times in the postseason over the course of his career. And on three occasions, it was the quarterback from New Orleans who had the last laugh. 

“He basically called every play by adjusting and/or changing the play once he saw what the defense was doing. He excelled at using the cadence and recognizing blitzes, and more than any one single offensive player, he forced us to change and adapt defensive game plans.”

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To be referred to as the best quarterback Belichick has coached against by the man himself is perhaps among the highest praises any QB can ever get. But if there’s one man worthy of that praise, it’s definitely Peyton Manning.