If recent history is any indication, don’t expect Bucs quarterback Tom Brady to show up for OTAs (organized team activities) this offseason.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht said that the 44-year old Brady has been communicating with new head coach Todd Bowles about whether he’ll participate or not.

“He and Todd have had constant communication with that,” Licht said. “It’s voluntary right now. He’s going into his 23rd season. Obviously he knows how to take care of himself during this voluntary portion. I know he and Todd have had several conversations about that. No worries whatsoever.”

Brady didn’t participate in OTAs in his final two seasons in New England so he could spend more time with his wife and kids in the offseason. After retiring for 40 days to spend more time with his family, and then abruptly un-retiring, don’t be surprised to see Brady skip OTAs again. He seems intent on spending as much time as he can with his family this offseason.

Brady has yet to go through OTAs in Tampa Bay. There was no offseason program in 2020, Brady’s first year with the Bucs, due to COVID-19. But, needing to learn the playbook, Brady gathered some teammates and held his own workouts at Berkeley Prep High School in Tampa.

Last year after winning Super Bowl LV, former head coach Bruce Arians told the veteran starters to stay away from the team facility and work out on their own.

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I just told them, ‘Don’t be here,'” Arians said. “I’d love to have them in the meetings, watching film, do some team building. We’ve had some guys come in and out. But as far as if you were a starter, you weren’t gonna be on the field anyway.”

Brady led a handful of offseason workouts at the Yankees training complex next to the stadium instead. Meanwhile, Arians and the coaches worked with developing the team’s younger players, who received more reps.

Brady is now entering his third season in the Bucs offense and has mastered it. That’s evidenced by him leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns last season and guiding the Bucs to a 13-4 record.

The OTAs, which are on-field team workouts, begin on Tuesday, May 17 after the 2022 NFL Draft. There are nine OTAs which, like most of the offseason workouts, are voluntary. The only exception is the mandatory mini-camp on June 7-9.

Licht also commented on two other questions pertaining to Brady. He called all of the rumors and speculation about Brady possibly wanting to play in Miami “chatter.”

“It’s chatter,” Licht said. “We’re focused on putting our team together here with the draft. We’re all excited and we’re all in lockstep. Tom, Todd, myself, Byron [Leftwich] and the entire coaching staff.”

Licht was also asked if Brady was going to have any input into the 2022 NFL Draft. While Brady has made his feelings known about some of Tampa Bay’s free agent targets, Licht said the future Hall of Famer stays out of the draft.

“He stays away,” Licht said. “He trusts us. That’s just not in his nature anyway.”