Don’t expect Brady at next OTAs
The Patriots return for voluntary OTAs on Monday, and unless he has a change of heart, Tom Brady won’t be there.
Though there’s added pressure to attend given Julian Edelman’s situation, Brady, who attended minicamp after missing the first seven weeks of the offseason program, was evasive about being with his teammates for the OTAs.
“We’re not even through today yet,” Brady said Thursday. “We’ve had a good three days and been working on the things we need to work on. That’s what I always focus on.”
The Patriots quarterback, however, does not currently plan on being there as he sticks to a different offseason routine for “personal reasons.”
With the expected loss of Edelman for four games to a pending PED suspension, there’s the need for Brady to further connect and build trust with newer receivers, particularly the slot guys, be it Jordan Matthews, Riley McCarron or Braxton Berrios, if he’s cleared to practice.
At the moment, that chemistrybuilding will have to wait until training camp.
“Every year has different challenges, you know?” Brady said. “There’s some years where, I mean, obviously this team has very high expectations. We’re trying to win every game. That’s what our goals are. I think those things we have a lot of time to work on literally. Figuratively there’s a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s going to be up to us individually to prepare as best we can and then collectively when we come together we do the same.”
As for Edelman, he posted an apology yesterday in reference to the suspension.
“I am very sorry. I don’t know what happened,” he said via Instagram. “I’ve taken many, many tests obviously over the course of my career, and nothing like this has ever happened. I apologize to the Kraft family, my coaches, teammates and fans. As this matter is being appealed, I can’t say anymore but, no matter what, I will be ready to play and pursue another championship with our team and for Patriots fans around the world.”
There has been no comment from the team regarding the suspension.
Edelman is facing a suspension that would keep him out of the first four games of the season. He would be eligible to return in Week 5 against Indianapolis.