FOXBORO -- For the first time since Super Bowl LII, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski were back on the field with their teammates for the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Speaking before the session, Bill Belichick reacted to having the two back on the field.
"It's good to have all the players here," he said. "It's always good to work with all the players."
He seemed to downplay their absences from OTAs.
"The OTA system is voluntary," Belichick said.
"It's a voluntary program," he added.
When asked about his relationship with Brady he noted he's always had a good relationship with him and then when asked about his relationship with Gronkowski, he said to ask him. Belichick didn't seem concerned their absences from OTAs would have any impact on the season, as well as their focus.
"Everybody is out here," Belichick said. "Again, myself, all the coaches, all the players, we're all doing the same thing. We're trying to get ready for the season and take every day, every opportunity we can to put ourself in the best position to have a good training camp and have a good season. We're all doing the same thing."
The team will have two more minicamp sessions, Wednesday and Thursday.
