Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady criticizes NFL's 17-game season: 'I think it's pointless' - USA TODAY

Over the past few years, Tom Brady has become more vocal on league issues. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback criticized the rule change for players regarding jersey numbers, and the seven-time Super Bowl champion is no fan of the additional regular-season game added to NFL schedules in 2021. 

“I think it’s pointless,” Brady said Monday on his "Let's Go." podcast with Jim Gray. “I thought it was a terrible decision. So I don’t like the fact that we’re playing a 17th game at all. I think 16 is plenty. Again, you’re eight games into the year and you’re not halfway through, so that’s kind of a little frustrating aspect. So, whatever, I mean, we’ll play it. It’s there, you know, a lot of guys probably miss games over the course of the season anyway, so they probably don’t play all 16, most guys.

"I'm not someone who feels it's a good idea. Some guys do. Some guys don't." 

PACKERS: Aaron Rodgers takes responsibility for 'misleading' comments about vaccine status

The NFL Players Association approved the 17-game season in its latest collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified near the start of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Brady called going from 16 games to 17 "a significant deal" when adding up extra practices and preparation. He pointed out that team owners see it as a revenue grower, while players would rather grow the game on their own terms. The disconnect between players, coaches and ownership is a reason why the season length became a divisive issue, Brady said.