The plus side of being a 45-year-old quarterback like Tom Brady is that you have seen and done it all. The downside is that after over 22 years of playing NFL football, you might need more of a break now and then. That’s precisely what the Buccaneers plan to give Brady.
On Sunday, a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that Brady would receive a “personal day” every Wednesday through the 2022 season. It’ll be the first time the future Hall of Famer gets such treatment in his legendary career.
In further clarification from MMQB’s Albert Breer on Tuesday, it seems Brady will only be missing actual practice. He’ll still be a part of game plans and other meetings. (Note: The Buccaneers under Bruce Arians usually gave veterans occasional days off, but it wasn’t always built in.)
Todd Bowles seems to believe in the new structure for his quarterback as the Buccaneers seek a better season result this January … and February:
“Our whole thing is how we finished the season,” Bowles told MMQB. “And when you don’t go as far as you went the season before, where we won the Super Bowl, you try to tweak some things. We were run down at the end of the year.”
Indeed, key injuries may have derailed the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl defense last year. Some of the more notable names who missed time down the stretch in 2021 included Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin, and Lavonte David. Even still, the Buccaneers almost managed to beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams in the Divisional Round.
At this point in his career, maybe letting Brady have more time to rest his body is the move to keep the Buccaneers humming. It’s not like he necessarily needs the practice time, and it could also change how he acts on the field.
Who knows? The rest might even improve Tampa Bay’s fortunes on offense — which has scored just 39 points in two games (18th in the NFL).
NFL fans had lots of thoughts about Brady getting Wednesday's off
I’m going to see if I can get a similar arrangement since I’m older than Brady. Report: Tom Brady will take every Wednesday off for the rest of the season
https://t.co/YeT5nXfX7r— nixonron (@nixonron) September 18, 2022
Tom Brady is 45… bro should have been getting Wednesday’s off a half decade ago lol
— Sammy (@sammy______G) September 18, 2022
What happens when you’re the 🐐 https://t.co/jxO2pE284p
— cd (@kc_dring) September 18, 2022
This applies to all of us 45 and over right? Just checking. https://t.co/nyB9fpiUCm
— John Gehring (@gehringdc) September 18, 2022
I WANT THIS https://t.co/AGfgt23LED
— Richelle Carey (@RichelleCarey) September 18, 2022
Can I please get a rest day on Wednesday? That sounds lovely. 🤣 https://t.co/ZwhGtrAwp0
— Val (@_nats86) September 18, 2022
