Tom Brady has dismissed the notion of resting starters in a meaningless final regular season match of the campaign as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for the NFL playoffs.
On Sunday, the Buccaneers secured their second successive NFC South division title as they came from behind to defeat the Carolina Panthers 30-24 at Raymond James Stadium. Brady threw for 432 yards and three touchdowns - all deep balls to star receiver Mike Evans - without producing a turnover while he also pulled off a quarterback sneak to score and book his ticket to the playoffs.
Against Carolina, Brady rolled back the years to produce a classic fourth-quarter comeback and secure his 14th straight playoff appearance, as well as the 19th divisional title of his illustrious career. The 45-year-old has missed the postseason just once in his 21-year career as a starting quarterback.
The Buccaneers - who won Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs - have nothing to worry about as they gear up for the final match of the 2022 campaign against the Atlanta Falcons. The 8-8 Bucs are locked into the fourth seed in the NFC while their opponents are out of playoff contention.
Many fans and figures around the NFL world believe such occasions are the opportune moment to rest key players to keep them fresh for the postseason. However, Brady prefers to play in order to stay sharp.
“I understand the context, but I don’t think anything is meaningless,” Brady said on his ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast on Tuesday. “And everything’s in preparation for what’s ahead … It’s not gonna matter per the standings, but it matters because you’re a professional.
“It matters because it’s a performance. It matters because it’s your job.”
Brady added: “I haven’t missed a game other than my ACL (injury), and then in 2016, I missed the first four games (Deflategate suspension). Other than that, I’ve played them all.”
His 8-8 Buccaneers are preparing for a postseason run, but questions linger over Brady’s foreseeable future. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has been linked with a move away from Florida as he nears entering free agency for the second time in his career.
Brady has been tipped for a move to the Las Vegas Raiders, who made the very public move to bench quarterback Derek Carr. His links to the Raiders are not unfounded, either; his long-time offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots, Josh McDaniels, is the head coach in Las Vegas.
