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Tom Brady Takes Issue With NFL’s Decision To Add 17th Game

According to a report, Tom Brady grew frustrated by Bruce Arians and the Buccaneers after being stuck with Bill Belichick for so long

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady (12) of the Buccaneers warms up along the sidelines during the Super Bowl LV game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on February 7, 2021 at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has no problem calling out the NFL for rule changes he doesn’t agree with. And on Tuesday, Brady took issue with another change prior to the season.

The GOAT doesn’t think it was at all necessary to add a 17th game to the schedule for this year.

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“I think it’s pointless,” Tom Brady said of the schedule change. “I thought it was a terrible decision. So I don’t like the fact that we’re playing a 17th game at all. I think sixteen is plenty. And, again, you’re eight games into the year and you’re not halfway through, so that’s kind of a little frustrating aspect. So whatever, I mean, we’ll play it. It’s there, you know, a lot of guys probably miss games over the course of the season anyway, so they probably don’t play all sixteen, most guys. But, you know, if you’re fortunate to be able to make it through a season and you got to play the 17th game, I think there’s a lot of things that I would adjust to, you know, the offseason, you know, the regular-season schedule. A lot of people know my feelings on some of these topics. I’ve been pretty vocal about NFL issues over the last couple of years and some of the things that are done that I don’t necessarily think are in the best interests of the game.”

Tom Brady says that unpopular rule changes are occurring because owners around the league have no interest in listening to their players or keeping their best interests in mind.

“Because the owners haven’t had to listen to the players,” Brady said. “Because usually what the owners want the owners get. So, you know, that’s just the way the business has gone. And we need strong union leadership from the player standpoint and a unified union in order to have the right amount of leverage to negotiate what we think is appropriate for an NFL player. But right now it’s more like we get told what to do and, yeah, there’s a vote and a CBA, but the choice is: don’t play or play under these circumstances. And we’ve essentially agreed to play under their circumstances.”

Tom Brady would also acknowledge that it’s a tough dynamic for 32 owners to agree with over a thousands players. But he thinks the league will continue to push their boundaries now that they have already began to make changes in the best interest of the business.

It’ll be interesting to see if TB12 continues to be a voice for the players whenever he decides to end his playing career.


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