Rulebook Loophole Used by Tom Brady Gets Closed by NFL Owners

The NFL is changing some rules, and they all don’t have to do with jersey numbers. The rule change was essentially the NFL closing a loophole, one that Tom Brady utilized during the 2020-21 season.

Via CBS:

“The NFL’s 32 owners held a virtual meeting on Wednesday and during that meeting they approved several rule changes for the 2021 season. Not only did they approve a rule that Brady hates, but they also closed a loophole in the rulebook that was exploited by Brady during the 2020 season.”

Playing against the Los Angeles Rams, an odd situation where Brady broke the rules actually ended up helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Faced with a 3rd-and-10, Brady attempted to make a pass downfield, only to have it knocked straight back to him by Rams’ linebacker Terrell Lewis. Brady alertly caught the ball, and went to make another pass.

The 8-yard completion to Mike Evans obviously drew a flag.

See below:

Brady really caught a pass and completed a pass on the same play 👀 @TomBrady @Buccaneers

📺 #LARvsTB on ESPN pic.twitter.com/MI80s77SYb

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 24, 2020

[sportsbookaffiliates]

If the Rams accept the penalty, it would result in a redo 3rd Down attempt from 15-yards out, or if they decline the penalty, they set the Bucs up with a 4th-and-2? McVay declined, and the Bucs did end up punting, so no harm done on this play.

The Rams proposed a rule change in which the team that attempts a 2nd forward pass in one play would lose a down as well.

No doubt Brady isn’t worried about this rule change, he’s still hung up on the jersey number issue.

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