The quarterback was asked about his absence for the first time on Saturday. Although he did not give a reason for his decision, he said he “feels good” after his return. “It’s all personal,” he said. “Everyone has different situations they deal with. We all have truly unique challenges in our lives. I’m 45 years old man. There’s a lot of shit going on. You just have to try to find life as best you can. It’s an ongoing process.” The Buccaneers said Brady’s absence was predetermined and the team was supportive. Last week, UFC president Dana White said Brady was close to signing with the Las Vegas Raiders instead of Tampa in 2020. And earlier this month the NFL fined the owner of the Miami Dolphins $1.5 million , Stephen Ross, for “unauthorized communication” with Brady. and his agent, Don Yee (neither Brady nor Yee were disciplined). On Saturday, Brady said he was happy with his current team. “I think since I’ve come into this organization, it’s been amazing — it’s just been an amazing experience for me to come into this place and have them support me as much as I have for a long time,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion said. . “I read all these stories about all these different places I should have gone or could have gone. And I was like, “I would only go to one place, which was here.” I think this whole organization knows that.” Brady has had brief preseason absences in the past, but this is the first time in his long career that he has taken a significant time off during training camp or the preseason. He played one series during the Bucs’ win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday and looked sharp, completing six of his eight pass attempts for 44 yards. “It was smooth sailing,” running back Rashad White said. “Tom’s Tom. He is our leader. It’s all we want. He is our captain. It was just a great feeling to have him back out there. He’s iconic.” Brady led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season, but will be without Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen for much of 2022 with a knee injury. The Bucs open their regular season campaign against the Dallas Cowboys on September 11th.
