Tom Brady criticizes NFL players skipping preseason games for easier options
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 4:08 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
Tom Brady expressed his discontent with NFL players who choose to skip preseason games, stating, 'Your job is to play football.' This comment follows Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason, where only 12 of 32 starting quarterbacks participated. While Brady reflects on past preseason efforts, current trends show teams prioritizing player health over preseason snaps., no starting quarterback played in the final quarter of the first preseason week, and recent seasons have seen starters refrain from participating in exhibition games altogether. Brady's comments are unlikely to alter team strategies regarding their starters in preseason match-ups.
- •Brady believes preseason games should matter for players.
- •Only 12 starting quarterbacks saw action in Week 1 of preseason.
- •Brady recalls a touchdown pass from the 2010 preseason.
- •Teams focus on keeping starters healthy over gaining preseason rhythm.
- •Preseason trends show fewer starters participating than before.
- 4:08 PMYahoo Sports — Tom Brady calls out NFL players for resting during preseason
- 3:30 PMYahoo Sports — Tom Brady calls out NFL players skipping preseason games: ‘Your job is to play football’
"As the NFL preseason continues to be a meaningless formality, Tom Brady wants players to make exhibition games matter again. Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason is over, which means we’re just two more weeks of exhibition games away from the games that actually matter. And while the next two weeks of exhibition games…
"Tom Brady shared a strong view on how players should approach preseason football.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 4:08 PMTom Brady calls out NFL players for resting during preseason
Tom Brady shared a strong view on how players should approach preseason football.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 3:30 PMTom Brady calls out NFL players skipping preseason games: ‘Your job is to play football’
As the NFL preseason continues to be a meaningless formality, Tom Brady wants players to make exhibition games matter again. Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason is over, which means we’re just two more weeks of exhibition games away from the games that actually matter. And while the next two weeks of exhibition games…
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