Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, has voiced his disapproval of several prominent NFL players who opted out of preseason games, suggesting they are looking for an "easy way out." Brady, known for his intense preparation throughout his 23-season career, shared his sentiment on Instagram on Sunday.
"Practice makes perfect... Too many people looking for easy ways out these days," Brady posted. "When you're a football player, and it's football season, your job is to play football."
NFL teams returned to the field for preseason action over Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as coaches evaluated players and tested strategies ahead of the regular season's Week 1 next month. However, some teams chose to rest their starters, prioritizing injury prevention. Players who did participate often played only briefly before returning to the sideline.
Brady's comments come as he prepares for his third year as an analyst for Fox, following a highly successful playing career. He is scheduled to cover the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders game on September 13, alongside lead play-by-play commentator Kevin Burkhardt and sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi. The broadcast will be part of Fox's "America's Game of the Week" coverage.
During his time with Fox, Brady has received positive reviews for his broadcasting work, notably for his analysis during the NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in his second season as an analyst. He also attended a recent Las Vegas Raiders game to watch rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza make his NFL debut. Mendoza completed a touchdown pass in a game against the Arizona Cardinals, drawing positive attention on social media from fans and former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.