Arians would prefer Brady, Bucs' starters work out at team's facility
Many Tampa Bay Buccaneers veterans were absent Tuesday during the team's first day of organized team activities, with quarterback Tom Brady and most of the starters practicing Monday at the New York Yankees' spring training complex.
After practice, Arians said he told veterans they can stay away, but he still prefers to see his players work out at the club's facility.
"I just told them, 'Don't be here,' Arians said, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "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."
"Last year was so different because of the pandemic," Arians added, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "This year they can be here. Like I said, they wouldn't be practicing but they could be working on this field. I'd love to see them all out here together."
If they suffer an injury while working out away from their team's facilities, players could land on the non-football injury list and their contract guarantees might be voided.
Tampa Bay players released a statement in April through the NFLPA saying they wouldn't be attending voluntary offseason activities. Brady also urged players during a conference call to negotiate for improved workout conditions, highlighting overly competitive drills as an area for potential change.
Arians remains in contact with most of his starters, and he hopes they'll change their minds about attending OTAs in the future.
While Arians would like his starters to be at the team's building, the coach wants to see the bottom half of his roster get some snaps in person.
"The guys who needed to be here were here," according to team reporter Scott Smith.
Full attendance is expected when the reigning Super Bowl champions host their mandatory minicamp June 7-9.
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