Bowles addresses 'preferential treatment' perception for Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles: Tom Brady didn't get preferential treatment for skipping walk-through

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/17/22

It was reported over the weekend that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady attended New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's wedding on Friday night, along with a host of other celebrities and former Patriots players. "TB12" then skipped out on the Bucs' Saturday walk-through one day ahead of their Week 6 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which Tampa Bay lost, 20-18.

On Monday afternoon, Buccaneers head coach addressed the perception that Brady could be getting preferential treatment, denying the thought.

Todd Bowles on the perception that Tom Brady gets special treatment. Says other guys take days off but it’s not publicized. pic.twitter.com/BzjxMFzsGO
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) October 17, 2022

According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, the 45-year-old signal-caller met the Bucs at their hotel in Pittsburgh and attended his "usual pre-game meetings," and he "did not take a weekly off day the last two weeks."

Laine notes that through six games last season, the Bucs were averaging more than 30.33 points per game, while in 2022, they're averaging just 19.0 points a game. Furthermore, Brady's 52.1 Total Quarterback Rating (QBR) is the lowest of his career since ESPN implemented the metric in 2006.

Having dropped three of their last four games, the Bucs are now 3-3. They'll face the Carolina Panthers in Week 7 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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