"I can play in any era": Ravens icon Ed Reed gives opinion on playing under modern NFL rules

Former Ravens safety and NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed was invited to the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams and when the host questioned if Reed could play as effectively today as he did during his prime, he responded confidently, dismissing her doubts.

“I was a smart player. I never played a game with ill will. I wasn’t out there taking guys out physically. You know when I did hit guys, it was hard and righteous. I can play in any era.”

Kay Adams’ question stemmed from how the game has changed in recent years due to rule adjustments aimed at making it safer. As a defensive back, Reed clarified that he never played dirty. Though tough, his tackles were always justified, and his record supports this.

Ed Reed: Tactical genius with high football IQ

Reed was known for being tough, athletic, fast, and dedicated. He would spend hours studying tapes of quarterbacks, which made him difficult to deceive on the field.

Known as one of the best ball-hawks in the game, Reed intercepted passes with remarkable skill, often turning them into long returns or touchdowns. With 64 interceptions in his career—seven of which were touchdowns—he ranks seventh all-time in NFL history.

Reed’s football IQ allowed him to read opponents and disrupt their gameplay. Paired with his leadership as a defensive "quarterback", he could make the quick adjustments which helped the Ravens become one of the most formidable defenses.

Reed also shared his belief that football remains fundamentally the same despite rule changes.

“Football is football.” He added, “We keep it simple. Football hasn’t changed. I played football from when I was four years old up until retirement.”

Reed retired in 2015 after a final season with the Jets, a year that marked the beginning of several key NFL rule changes.

Recent NFL rule changes

The introduction of the extra-point placement rule (2015), helmet rule (2018), kickoff rule change (2018), and pass-interference review (2019) has contributed to making the game safer.

As a result, offensive production has surged, leading to more scoring. However, Reed believes his intelligence and adaptability would have allowed him to excel in any era, navigating even the modern game’s adjustments with ease.