Jerry Rice explains why he'd pick Montana over Brady

Jerry Rice has weighed in on the quarterback GOAT debate.

Asked Monday whether he would choose Joe Montana or Tom Brady with a game on the line, Rice went with his former San Francisco 49ers teammate.

"I'm going with Joe Montana because, like I said, it was a different era," the Hall of Fame wide receiver said during an appearance on 95.7 The Game. "Not taking anything away from what's happening today, but you look at the game today, the way it's played, you look at how receivers are protected - I never thought I would see an era where the running back doesn't have to be on the ground for them to stop the play because this, to me, is supposed to be tackle football.

"So, it's a whole different era, and I would go with Montana any day because he was Joe Cool, and he was in an era where he was not as protected."

Montana played in the NFL from 1979-94, winning four Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVP awards. Brady, who's in the midst of his 21st pro season, owns six Super Bowl rings and is a four-time Super Bowl MVP.