Ian Rapoport Claims Tom Brady Is Seeking A “Work/Life Balance”
August 11th, 2022
Torn?
Joe honestly doesn’t know what to make of this.
Ian Rapoport, the NFL Network’s uber-insider, apparently spoke with someone who knows what’s going on with this strange sabbatical Tom Brady is on.
Rapoport appeared on Pat McAfee’s show today and explained he was informed that Brady is seeking a “work/life balance.” This sort of dovetails what Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said today that this excused absence by Brady was worked out between the team and Brady before training camp.
Rapoport emphasized there is no health issue with Brady or a member of his family.
What does this mean? That Brady is contemplating throwing in the towel before the season starts? That Ryan Jensen’s injury has him feared for his health? Joe is confused.
Brady is an all-in kinda guy. Is he no longer all-in?
Or has Brady come to the conclusion Joe reached years ago, that preseason games are about as worthless as a Yellow Pages directory?
You can view Rapoport’s take in the video below.
"To my knowledge Tom Brady & his family are fine & it's not a medical emergency.. the best description I got was it's important to find a work/life balance" ~@RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/AmMn4Gr2RC
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 11, 2022
August 11th, 2022 at 3:40 pm
I quote Licht here: “Tom is the least of our worries”. Come on Joe
August 11th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Eh, he’s at a minimum earned the benefit of the doubt that he can stay focused on the goal at large of winning a super bowl even if he gets a bit more time off from practice in the offseason
August 11th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
The talking heads will keep trying to come up with something for their ratings.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Like I’ve been saying he can literally miss all of camp and be fine starting week 1 on sunday night.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:47 pm
What, me worry? Nah. It’s preseason.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:47 pm
No reason to freak on this one. Our first game is a month from now. If Brady wants 10 days off during what is probably the most grueling part of the year in Tampa, let him have it.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:48 pm
I saw a tabloid in the grocery store yesterday. The headline caught my eye because it said that Giselle is really steamed about Tom coming back this year.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:48 pm
This is getting way blown out of proportion @Joe and understand this is a Bucs website and appreciate what you do, but throwing all these conspiracies out there I don’t think is warranted. Scared for his health ??? They will be fine and can’t wait to see him start week 1… Go Bucs !!!
August 11th, 2022 at 3:53 pm
This was pre-planned before training camp. Was Brady able to see into the future and know Jensen was gonna get injured? That’s irresponsible speculation.
August 11th, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Sorry, but this doesn’t pass the smell test.
At least we’ll always have the 2020 SB season.
It is what it is.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Nothing to see here…thanks for reporting, leave out the gossip rag stuff “for the content”.
GM says no issue, coach says no issues, not a single teammate has even hinted at an issue…perhaps there’s no issue?
August 11th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Hard to believe he would openly mock players who are putting in the time. And he will not . Just dont see that with his legacy . Not sold on this story
If it comes out that it is true. Hey im a huge brady fan but that is some dang boosheet. Cause that shows he thinks he is better then people. He is above his teammates. Deserves more personal time off. Again he has worked his whole career for respect. That would throw everything out the window and labeled a diva.
Was giselle in the room when they wrote his contract to returm?
August 11th, 2022 at 4:03 pm
“work/life balance.” = a deal was cut with Gisselle in order for Tom to be allowed to play this year.
He takes off 2 weeks in mid-August to spend quality time with the fam – she gives blessing for a 23rd season and promises to try hard not to b!tch about how LOOOOONG the season takes to complete……
August 11th, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Work life balance so whats he going to do take every third game off. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. If that was true he would have stayed retired and took the tv gig.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:10 pm
This is obviously one of the conditions TB12 unretired for . Good.
Now the horror show that is Trashk and Goobert can be on full display.
Home the defense this preseason.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:12 pm
It was planned and timed strategically. Move on…
August 11th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Tom, looked down the line at his offense line and yelled ” I am outta here”
August 11th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Maybe he finally realized that he doesn’t have to be football 24/7 with his knowledge and experience? Maybe the “Arians way” (do the job effectively and also play) is more than enough for him at this stage of his career? Maybe if he finds a good work/life balance, he will be able to play a few more years? If that’s a possibility, I know the Bucs would gladly give him whatever he needs.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
We have to trust TB12 , and Management we dont have any say in the matter … hope what ever needs to take place is taken care of permanetly.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Unbelievable. It does pass my smell test.
A bunch of preseason practices for Brady are unnecessary.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Thank goodness there are no serious health issues in his family. This is weird, but I have no reason not to trust Licht.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Unrefundable cruise tickets most likely
August 11th, 2022 at 4:35 pm
The season is now ridiculously long. All the vets should get time off. Evans and Lavonte should be given extra time off among others. Yeah I know. We are all junkies trying to get our fix but we need these guys come playoff time.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
All aboard the Mike CornFlorio express. Rampant speculation instead of actual news. Opinions stated as facts. Maybe Giselle want a vacation, maybe he wants to see his parents before they pass on, either way none of our business.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:40 pm
TB probably just doesn’t want all of the exhausting drama over a pre-season game. Put him and most of the WR corps in bubble wrap until the first game.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
I think it’s the deal they made before Brady came out of retirement. He gets to take it easy in the preseason, spend more time with family, and he plays one more season at the discount then he’s already giving the Bucs.
Plus I’ll bet that the Glazers don’t mind letting Brady lie low until all the Dolphins drama blows over.
August 11th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
I fail to see what the big deal is, Joe.
Brady could have taken care of these things before now, but he wanted to get in and start setting the tone for his team…things were not mandatory then, so he arranged in advance to have time off to take care of things.
Ian does not contradict this at all.
August 11th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
When there is no communication, and little trust, there will always be speculation. At this point, all of it is well earned. Brady is a very complex guy, so there not likely to be one simple answer to his absence. He has been very sloppy with his messaging since last year, which to me indicates he is trying too hard to conceal his true intentions. He is his own person and free to do as he pleases. I just feel he needs to better understand that when you heavily use the media to push your product and brand, you shouldnt run away from them when we they have legitimate questions.
August 11th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
The players and the team are apparently fine with it, and know the reason for his absence. Glad the reporting says no family health problems. Brady could roll out of bed and throw for 400. On to Dallas. If anyone here believes it’s a commitment issue, you don’t understand what drives the man. He cares to much about his legacy.
August 11th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
“Work/life balance”. If you are a young buck, all-in with football, there is no balance. It’s 120% ball. Until you hit a certain age and (screeching brakes) your supermodel wife, who was probably not pleased with your decision to unretire in the first place, yanks you off stage by your ear.
This is why I am convinced that this is the last season. And this is why I’m concerned that they haven’t completely upgraded and solidified the roster for this one final all-in, for this man’s last stand.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Gisele hates football. Gisele literally does not even live with Brady in Tampa. She takes kids to costa rica comes back for games. Anybody questioning Brady he I he lives by himself and of course the help. Brady is willing to live by himself and get possibly divorced to play for Bucs.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
I’ll settle for a life/life balance.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Now is not the time for Tom to worry about a “work/life balance.” That is for the off season. All the work/life balance you need.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:23 pm
I’d take time off for my mama, don’t care what i’m doing.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
There is no one more competitive or prepared. If this is what he needs to give us another Super Bowl I’m down. Maybe it’s just what he needs to come back again next year. One can hope. Go Bucs
August 11th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
No problem seen here. He is 45 YEARS OLD. He is old and NEEDS time off due to the grind of the season.
A much bigger story is if Brady decided to take personal time off between, say, weeks 16-17 (assuming we already made the playoffs).
August 11th, 2022 at 6:43 pm
You have to have rocks in your head if you believe some of the far-fetched BS reports coming out of the mouths some reporters. These guys are truly morons.
August 11th, 2022 at 6:57 pm
Too many new pieces on offense to miss this much camp on purpose
August 11th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
No doubt Brady had plans or something with Gazelle, like picking up the new boat, must be in by now and they had plans made prior to or because of his retirement and he’s keeping his word with her. He’s never plays preseason anyway, so what’s the big deal it’s 17 weeks now, you people all have to always think the worse, Be thankful he came back.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:27 pm
I don’t believe it was planned. It would have been wise to put out a heads up at the beginning of camp if they actually knew. They didn’t. Especially after missing 3 days last week… Did they not think to mention it then? I’m not buying it. Something is up.
August 11th, 2022 at 7:56 pm
People not hard…his wife said we will finish the rest of our vacations or you don’t play…Brady has hinted on numerous occasions thst he has had to really work on her…so the bucs are just happy to have him here…this is preseason brady not playing in first two gsmes…none of the starters are…PLEASE BE REMINDED BRSDY IS 45 HE IS A PROFESSIONAL AND I KNOW HE INFORMED HIS TEAMMATES WHAT THE DEAL IS TO PLAY…they will take him and be grateful !!!!! HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE DONT MATTER IF POOR OR RICH IT ALWAYS APPLIES!!!!
August 11th, 2022 at 8:00 pm
It’s not anyone’s business. He missed a season and came back better. He’s missed parts of a season and come back strong. Ten days in preseason is nothing.
Get a hobby, losers.
August 11th, 2022 at 9:17 pm
In 2017 Belechik wanted to start Jimmy G. over Brady. Brady went over his head to Robert Kraft and The Patriots got a 2nd round pick trading Garrafalo to the 49ers. After learning their playbook, Garrafalo started and won the 49ers last 5 games that year.Having his share of injuries the next 4 years, Garaffalo still was in 2 NFC championship games and a Super Bowl.After the 2019 season , the L.A.Chargers and Bucs both offered Brady a 2 year deal. Brady was also talking with the 49ers however Kyle Shanahan chose Jimmy G. over Brady. Last season while playing for the Bucs, Brady’s agent had talks with Miami over a possible minority ownership, possible quarterbacking for a year, maybe Sean Payton being the HC. Maybe HC Flores accusations sunk this. Brady retires and then unretires. Knowing He has to develop chemistry with Gage and Julio Jones, Brady’s gone. Too much Uncertainty for me. Next week if Brady says he quits, I wouldn’t be shocked. The smart Franchise move would be to acquire Jimmy G. The Bucs would have good QB for the next 5 years.Thd Miami Talks showed BRADY has no loyalty to the Bucs.
August 11th, 2022 at 9:25 pm
It’s a long nfl season as long as he is available on game day we’re good. Nobody’s played football this long so it seems odd to people but he has literally worked the job long enough to retire. Maybe it was a condition of him coming back for another season but it’s serious because it’s something to talk about beyond that it’s whatever go Bucs
August 11th, 2022 at 9:35 pm
This is Bradys last year……
Blaine Gabbert will be your 2023 Bucs starting quarterback.
August 11th, 2022 at 9:54 pm
Obviously the only way he could get Giselle to let him play again this year was that he would skip training camp to do tequila body shots with her for a few weeks instead of hanging out with the boys before the games start
August 12th, 2022 at 12:40 am
If Geezie is saying “It’s the Bucs or me” then Tom is going to do everything to appease her but in the end, 349,345 other women a lot nicer and better looking are available. “What more do you have to prove?”
Tom will show everybody.
August 12th, 2022 at 8:13 am
Let it rest.
Personal time is PERSONAL TIME.
August 12th, 2022 at 9:32 am
sasquatch…I’m with you dude…and if they knew about this ahead of time they would have made it known ahead of time so there’s no speculation.
Yeah something is up. Like Scooter said I wouldn’t be surprised if Brady came back and said he quits.
August 13th, 2022 at 1:08 am
I think Brady wants to retire. He probably thought he would give it one more try, came to camp and just isn’t feeling it. Given the choice I think he would retire again. Gronk not being there, Jenson going down, losing Marpet and Evans already having hamstring issues and the tug on his heart to be with his kids more weighs on a man in his position. At 45 even the minor hits hurt more and last longer.