Tom Brady Comments on Return to Patriots After Deflategate Suspension

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is excited to get back on the field after completing his four-game suspension in relation to the Deflategate controversy, but he understands it could take some time to get back up to full speed. 

Mike Reiss of ESPN.com passed along comments Brady made during a radio appearance Monday with Westwood One's Jim Gray. The future Hall of Famer confirmed his return to the Patriots facility, though teammates stated earlier in the day they hadn't seen him:

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It was great to be back in the building. It was certainly great to be back to work. It's been a long four weeks for me, but I'm excited to get started on my preparation for Cleveland. I'm anxious for the week ahead. I want to get back out on the practice field. This is what I love to do, and now I have an opportunity to do it.

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Deflategate, which related to the alleged tampering of footballs for the AFC Championship Game in January 2015, came to a long-awaited conclusion with Brady's return from suspension. The NFLPA announced Sunday night there would be no further action concerning the issue:

In typical Patriots understated fashion, Brady told Westwood One he's merely focused on getting back on a level where he can do his job.

"I'm going to take it day to day. I haven't played in four weeks," he said. "My teammates have been working their butts off, and that's what they expect of me. I'll take the days as they come."

His teammates kept their feelings about his return close to the vest, though. Adam Kurkjian of the Boston Herald noted special teams ace Matthew Slater said he couldn't say whether he'd seen Brady, and offensive lineman Nate Solder wouldn't talk about how the QB's return could change the outlook.

"You know what, I don't know," Solder said. "Like I said, my focus is my improvement in my play."

As for the suspension itself, the quarterback had no interest in reigniting the controversy and explained to Gray he's just focusing on the future after spending the first month on the sideline.

"I'm not really looking to reflect at this point. I put that in the rearview mirror when I decided a while ago [to not appeal]," Brady said. "I'm looking forward to playing and doing what I love to do and being out there with my teammates, who have done such a great job. And I want to do a great job for them."

Brady returns to a Patriots squad that's holding its usual place atop the AFC East with a 3-1 record. New England's offense struggled mightily in a 16-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, however, racking up just 277 total yards with rookie Jacoby Brissett leading the offense.

Getting the two-time Most Valuable Player back under center to pair with the league's third-ranked rushing attack should once again give the Pats one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Brady and Co. will look to showcase that in his return Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.