Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has criticized top NFL stars for sitting out preseason games, accusing players of looking for an easy way out.
All 32 teams were in action across Thursday, Friday and Saturday as players returned to the field for the first time since February to prepare for the new season. Coaches used the games to evaluate rosters and test tactical packages ahead of Week 1 next month. However, several teams chose to sit out key starters to protect them from potential injuries, while other starters made only brief appearances before taking spots on the bench.
Brady, who played 23 seasons in the league and built a reputation for meticulous preparation, blasted the decision to rest established stars. "Preseason... Regular season... I never wanted to be taken off the field," Brady posted on Instagram on Sunday.
"Practice makes perfect... Too many people looking for easy ways out these days," he added in his post. "When you're a football player, and it's football season, your job is to play football."
Fernando Mendoza debut in Las Vegas
Brady was in Las Vegas on Thursday to watch rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza make his NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders. The No. 1 overall pick led a drive down the field against the Arizona Cardinals in a home matchup, moving the offense into a third-and-goal position.
Mendoza completed a slant pass to second-year receiver Jack Bech for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. He then ran to the end zone to celebrate with Bech and the rest of the team after throwing what may be the first of many passing touchdowns in his professional career.
Supporters on social media celebrated the arrival of a potential new star for Raider Nation. "Mendoza agenda officially back on schedule," wrote one user on X, while another stated, "I'm pushing Mendoza propaganda this year." A fan of the Los Angeles Chargers posted, "Mendoza is gonna be really good in this league. Gonna have to get pressure on him."
Another user praised the rookie's composure: "raiders finally got a qb who stares down the goal line like he owns it instead of checking his first read and folding. that calm in the pocket on 3rd and goal hits different." Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr also praised Mendoza on social media, writing, "First of many!"
Broadcasting role with Fox Sports
Away from the sidelines, Brady is fine-tuning preparations for his third season as an NFL analyst under his 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports. He earned rave reviews for his performance during his second season on air, including his analysis of the NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
Brady will start his season broadcast coverage on September 13 in Philadelphia when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders. He will join Fox's primary commentary team of play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi.
The showdown between the NFC East rivals will be broadcast as the network's first "America's Game of the Week" of the new season, with kickoff scheduled for 4:25pm ET at Lincoln Financial Field.
