There is at least some truth to that I think, although I doubt anyone had the complex apparatus New England had. That **** was so high level the NFL didn't let anyone see any of it. It was that bad. That said, I would find it incredibly difficult to believe that absolutely no one else has ever tried to gain an edge through unsavory means. It's not to excuse what they did, I just can't believe they are the only ones ever.
The league with "parity" set up mainly through the salary cap in 92 or 93 was designed to not allow a 70s Steelers or an 80s 49ers to happen again. The changing of the rules to benefit offenses more came to play right during Brady/Bellichicks run. Combine that with the cheating and they did what was not supposed to happen. The only other team who has pulled off something close is the Chiefs and the Chiefs run is done, but they have Mahomes...Brady was not ever Mahomes. The Pats* won as a team...a team of cheaters.
When they could they benefited their offense by jamming headsets and deflating balls. At other times their defense saved them by having the play calls before the play was run. As you said it was a high level operation.
Teams like the Steelers were at a complete disadvantage as their defenses were predicated on stopping the run and being brutal to offenses. Now you have rules to benefit your offense and stifling hard hitting defenses while you stop communications on your opponent defense as you march down the field with a scripted offense. NFL headsets were not sending encrypted communications till 2009 if you can believe that.
1994: The NFL
re-emphasized the 5-yard rule on jamming receivers and banned defensive backs from pushing receivers out of bounds while running routes. This further protected receivers and encouraged more downfield passing.
2004: The
illegal cut block rule was changed—cutting a receiver below the waist became a
15-yard penalty instead of 5, discouraging dangerous blocks and protecting receivers running routes over the middle.
2007: The
defenseless player rule was expanded to include receivers attempting to catch a pass. Any contact to the head or neck during a catch attempt is now a
15-yard penalty, enhancing protection for receivers in vulnerable moments.
2009: The
"Brady rule" was clarified—low hits on quarterbacks, even when being tackled, became illegal if avoidable. This was a direct response to a hit that caused Tom Brady’s ACL tear and aimed to protect QBs during and after passing plays.
2010s–Present: Ongoing emphasis on
illegal contact,
pass interference, and
defenseless player rules has continued to open up the field, reduce physical intimidation, and increase offensive production. Combined with the
2025 season’s permanent dynamic kickoff and
touchbacks moving to the 35-yard line, offenses now benefit from better field position and reduced risk on returns.
