Patriots' Tom Brady Said He Put on Weight This Offseason to Absorb Hits Better

As New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady prepares to turn 42 years old over the weekend, he is doing everything he can to make sure his body is ready for a 20th NFL season. 

"I wanted to get a little bigger this year and put on a few more pounds and try to absorb the hits a little bit more," Brady said Wednesday, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. "I worked pretty hard at that."

Durability has been a major key to Brady's success through the years. Since taking over under center in Week 3 of the 2001 campaign, he has missed a total of 19 games in 17 years—and four of those were due to his Deflategate suspension in 2016.

Brady has missed time because of injury just once in his career when he suffered a torn ACL in the 2008 season opener. That is the only time in his career he has been sidelined by injury.

He has started 53 consecutive games since his Deflategate suspension.

The future Hall of Famer has credited his durability to the TB12 method, which features a strict diet and exercise program. But as effective as that lifestyle may be, he understands that he will need to take every precaution to keep his in playing shape as he ages.

Of course, Brady and the Patriots have played in four of the last five Super Bowls, including each of the last three. That means he not only has to be prepared to play in 16 games, but potentially upwards of 19.