Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has voiced his frustration with current NFL players who opt out of preseason games, stating they are looking for an "easy way out." Brady, a 15-time Pro Bowler, expressed his belief that players should be eager to play whenever it is football season, regardless of whether it's a regular season or preseason game.
Brady shared a clip on his Instagram story from a 2010 preseason game where he, along with receiver Randy Moss, played into the third quarter. In the clip, Brady executed a play-action pass to Moss for a touchdown. The New England Patriots ultimately lost that game to the then-St. Louis Rams, 36-35. Brady continued to play into the fourth quarter, leading his team on a 98-yard touchdown drive before being replaced by backup quarterback Brian Hoyer.
Historically, many NFL teams have chosen to rest their starters during preseason games, or limit their participation to a few drives. This practice has become more common as teams aim to protect their key players from potential injuries during exhibition matches.
Arguments for resting starters often cite the risks involved in preseason play. For example, Odell Beckham Jr. suffered an ankle injury during a 2017 preseason game after a hit from a cornerback, an injury that caused him to miss time and was a precursor to further complications. Other notable preseason injuries include former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson tearing his ACL in 2015 and Rams quarterback Sam Bradford re-tearing his ACL in a 2014 preseason game, which significantly impacted his career. More recently, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart sustained an injury after being sacked during a preseason game, remaining on the field for an extended period before being helped off.
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