Tom Brady responds to Baker Mayfield’s ‘stressed out’ comments

Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Former NFL player Tom Brady on the field before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady was on the broadcast for Sunday’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, which gave him the opportunity to respond from some Baker Mayfield comments that certainly appeared to be critical.

Mayfield went viral during the week for comments he made about the environment he entered when he joined the Buccaneers after Brady retired prior to the 2023 season. Mayfield suggested players were “stressed out” in the intense environment Brady helped create while leading the team, and that he saw it as his job to bring back “joy” after Brady’s tenure.

Brady had his opportunity to respond, and he was not backing down from his methods.

Tom Brady claps back at Baker Mayfield over his claim that the Buccaneers didn't "have as much fun" under him as they currently are with Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/J86Qyaecid

— The Comeback NFL (@TheComebackNFL) September 29, 2024

“I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings, so there was the mindset of a champion that I took to work every day,” Brady said. “This wasn’t day care. If I wanted to have fun, I was going to go to Disneyland with my kids.

“There’s a way to approach this game, and it’s with the right mindset, and try to push each other outside of our comfort zone. Great teammates do that. There’s high expectations for us. We gotta make sure we go out there and deliver.”

In other words, Brady will not be apologizing for whatever his perceived impact was. He did deliver a Super Bowl, so he does not exactly have a lot to apologize for.

Mayfield has not been shy about how he feels his approach suits the team right now. He might be right as well, as he has had good results. Ultimately, Brady may have been precisely what the Buccaneers needed at the time.