NFL MVP Tom Brady skips Patriots’ voluntary training session

Officially, the New England Patriots’ workout on Monday is optional. However that fact won’t offer much comfort to fans concerned about quarterback Tom Brady’s absence.

Despite being a regular attendee at Patriots off-season team activities (OTAs) over the years, Brady will skip Monday’s training session, according to ESPN. The 40-year-old reigning NFL MVP also missed earlier portions of the program, saying that he wished to spend more time with his family while gaining some additional rest so he could be ready for the 2018 campaign.

Brady had been rumored to be considering retirement after the Patriots were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. There had previously been rumors of friction between Brady and coach Bill Belichick over several issues, including the presence of the quarterback’s trainer, friend, and business partner Alex Guerrero.

However, Brady recently ended any speculation that he might retire.

 

There had previously been rumors of friction between Brady and coach Bill Belichick

Tom Brady had been rumored to be considering retirement after the Patriots were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII (left). There had previously been rumors of friction between Brady and coach Bill Belichick (right) over several issues, including the presence of the quarterback’s trainer, friend, and business partner Alex Guerrero

Alex Guerrero (left) often blamed the Patriots' trainers and their methods for injuries to Brady's teammates, many of whom sought treatment from Guerrero at the TB12 Training Center located near the team facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Alex Guerrero (left) often blamed the Patriots’ trainers and their methods for injuries to Brady’s teammates, many of whom sought treatment from Guerrero at the TB12 Training Center located near the team facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts

Speaking with moderator Jim Gray at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Santa Monica in April, Brady reaffirmed his stated desire to play for several more years.

‘I have personal goals. I want to keep playing,’ Brady said. ‘I’ve said for a long time I want to play to my mid-40s. I was told three years, when I was 36, 37, ‘You can’t keep playing; no one wins Super Bowls [at that age].’ It’s a great challenge for me. I think I’ve been challenged my whole life. I feel like I can do it.’

But when asked whether he feels appreciated for his accomplishments by Kraft and Belichick, Brady replied, ‘I plead the Fifth.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7

‘That is a tough question,’ he said. ‘I think everyone, in general, wants to be appreciated more at work and in their professional life. You have different influences in your life, and I think the people that I work with are trying to get the best out of me. So they’re trying to treat me in a way that’s going to get the best out of me, and I got to get the best out of myself.’

Brady guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl for the eighth time this year, an NFL record for any player, and he is a five-time champion. Furthermore, he won his third NFL Most Valuable Player award for the 2017 season after throwing for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Recent reports suggested that Brady had yet to commit to playing in 2018, even though he is under contract with a base salary of $14 million.

One ESPN report claimed that people around Brady hoped he would retire.

Brady’s wife, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, said in a 2017 interview that the quarterback had unreported concussions and she worried about his long-term health. A joint NFL and players’ union investigation found there was no evidence that Brady or the team failed to follow the league’s policies or procedures on concussions.

He has been sacked 517 times in the regular and postseasons over his 19-year NFL career.

The subject of Brady’s retirement seemed somewhat contentious during the regular season.

Tom Brady has participated in the vast majority of OTA's during his 18-year NFL career 

Tom Brady has participated in the vast majority of OTA’s during his 18-year NFL career 

Brady is still expected to attend the team's mandatory mini-camp in June

Brady is still expected to attend the team’s mandatory mini-camp in June

Before losing Super Bowl LII in February, the Patriots traded promising backup quarterback and Brady’s presumed successor, Jimmy Garoppolo, to the San Francisco 49ers.

According to an ESPN report in January, Belichick objected to the trade because he had been grooming Garoppolo to take over for the Patriots when Brady did decide to retire.

Garoppolo went 5-0 in his first five starts with the 49ers and has since agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million deal to stay in San Francisco. 

Belichick also reportedly had issues with Guerrero, who was banned from the team sideline and plane during the season.

According to the ESPN report, Guerrero often blamed the Patriots’ trainers and their methods for injuries to Brady’s teammates, many of whom sought treatment from Guerrero at the TB12 Training Center located near the team facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

While it remains unclear if tight end Rob Gronkowski would be in attendance on Monday, NFL.com is reporting that both he and Brady are expected to take part in the team’s mini-camp scheduled for three days in June.



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