Overview
- Brady reposted a clip to his Instagram Story on Monday and wrote that players are “looking for easy ways out” and that their job is to play during football season.
- The clip came from an Aug. 26, 2010 Patriots preseason game when Brady played late, finished 18-of-22 for 273 yards and three touchdowns, and threw a 65-yard score to Randy Moss.
- Week 1 preseason figures reported by Greg Auman show only 12 of 32 starting quarterbacks played and they averaged about 14 offensive snaps, supporting Brady’s point about limited starter reps.
- Teams routinely limit starters to reduce the chance a single August injury derails a season, a stance bolstered by high-profile preseason injuries such as Odell Beckham Jr., Jordy Nelson and Sam Bradford.
- Analysts say Brady’s post will likely keep debate alive but not change team policies, though his Raiders role and occasional starter usage this preseason are being noted as a possible exception.