A: Yes! But it's not new. It's actually about 23 years old.
I think it's long past time for the NFL to delineate between centuries. Because 20th century football and 21st century football are NOT the same games. Folks who grew up in the 60s/70s/80s could tell you that already but the numbers back it up. Just look at the single season leaders. In almost every important QB stat, the vast majority of the top 100 season happened after 1999:
- Passing yards: 87 out of 100. No season before 2000 in the top ten.
- Pass attempts: 87 out of 100. One season before 2000 in the top ten.
-Completions: 95 out of 100. No season before 2000 in the top FORTY.
- Passing rating: 80 out of 100. No season before 2000 in the top ten.
-Completion %: 92 out 100. One season before 2000 in the top ten.
-Interception %: 88 out 100. One season before 2000 in the top ten.
-Adjusted Y/A: 72 out 100. Four seasons in the top ten before 2000.
Lots of reason for this, obviously. But it's pretty clear we need to start noting the difference when talking about "the greats". Back in the day, we didn't say Montana and Marino were the best QBs ever. We said they were the best of the SUPER BOWL Era. Because you couldn't compare what they did under different rules and with more games to Johnny Unitas' accomplishments 30 years earlier.
Tom Brady is the best QB of the 21st century. Which is pretty damn amazing. But that's where it stops.