A frustrated Tom Brady reportedly broke two tablets on the sidelines during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win over the New Orleans Saints last weekend.
Brady had already apologized for breaking one tablet, but a source confirmed to ESPN that the quarterback broke a second device during the 20-10 win, in which he struggled to find a passing rhythm. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer later reported that the NFL has sent memos to all 32 teams in the league stating that breaking tablets will result in a fine.
“Unfortunately, I’ve had a pretty bad reputation against that tablet,” Brady joked during a radio appearance with Jim Gray earlier this week. “I think I forgot the password and couldn’t log in, so those things can be frustrating.
“Unfortunately, the tablet happens to get in the way, and that’s clearly why it didn’t go so well [against the Saints]so I had to take it out on the poor, meaningless tablet.”
Brady also threw a tablet during Tampa Bay’s Week 15 loss to New Orleans last season.
The Bucs have won both games this season, but Brady, who led the league in passing yards and touchdowns in 2021, was not at his best. He has thrown two touchdowns and one interception and his QBR ranking of 38.9 places him 24th out of 32 qualified candidates.
The 45-year-old is hampered by injuries to his offensive line and wide receivers. For Sunday’s game against longtime rival Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, Brady will have to do without two Pro Bowl receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Three other Bucs recipients – Julio Jones, Breshad Perriman and Russell Gage – are listed as questionable. Brady is battling an injury of his own – to the ring finger on his throwing hand – but will play against Rodgers, whom he leads 3-1 in their head-to-head record.
“I try to make sure I don’t throw my arm out when I throw it, but I was pretty pissed off [against the Saints]Brady told Gray. “Until I get it right, I’ll keep doing it. Obviously, with repetition as the key to success, I need to get the perfect tablet slam, which I haven’t gotten yet. Tune in next week to see if it happens.”