NFL insider on Bruce Arians: “I’m not so sure how much he did last year” – Home

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Getty Bruce Arians and Tom Brady chat during a game in 2021.

The rumored breakup between Bruce Arians and Tom Brady that led to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach’s retirement is not true.

That’s what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says. He said on “The Rich Eisen Show” that “I don’t think that’s true” that Brady, who retired on March 13, asked Arians to resign, which had been frequently reported by major national media since the release. Arians’ retirement on March 30.

Rapoport noted that the 69-year-old Arians probably never “picked up a red feather” in the offensive game plans of Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Arians, the oldest head coach in the NFL at the time, also kept the game offensive by canceling his plate when he took over the Bucs job in 2019, according to the Pewter Report.

GettyTom Brady and Bruce Arians led the Buccaneers to a 24-9 record and a Super Bowl victory the past two seasons.

“With all due respect to Bruce Arians, who I really love, I’m not so sure how much he did last year,” Rapoport told Eisen. “I mean, he was the guy. He made all the decisions at the end, but Brady ran the offense with Byron Leftwich.”

“That’s from multiple people who were there even before any of the stories came out,” Rapoport added. “There would be no reason for Brady to want Bruce Arians to leave because he wasn’t that involved.”

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Witnesses add up for Bucs?

Rapoport told Eisen he heard a consistent story within the Bucs organization and Brady’s inner circle.

“I’ve talked to six or seven Bucs sources and people close to Brady who say that’s completely ridiculous, and they’ve said it was ridiculous every time,” Rapoport said.

“Could everyone be lying to me? Of course. Theoretically it’s possible that there could be a big vendetta to make sure everyone tells me the same lies at the same time,” Rapoport said as Eisen chuckled. “Or, Bruce Arians just put his team together, he signed all the free agents, he got Brady back and he gave [Todd] Bowles the best team he could imagine.”

Arians made it clear that he wanted to turn the team over to Bowles, a former Arians colleague who came to Tampa with him in 2019. Bowles interviewed for head coaching jobs elsewhere this offseason, but the Bucs kept him at defenseman. coordinator.

“Succession has always been huge for me,” Arians told NBC Sports’ Peter King. “With the organization probably in the best shape it’s ever been in, with Tom Brady coming back… I’d rather see Todd in a position to be successful and not have to take some [crappy] worked. I’ll probably retire next year anyway, in February. So, I control the narrative right now. I do not control it next February because [if] Brady gets hurt, we’re going 10-7, and it’s an open interview for the job… I got 31 [coaches and their] families that depend on me. My wife really likes not letting down all those families.’”

The Bucs didn’t have an ideal situation before Brady’s return on March 13 with a mad rush for a quarterback and a slew of free agents to re-sign.

Arians and Brady say they are on good terms

Both Arians and Brady indicated that they had a good working relationship following Arians’ retirement.

“You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you. You are a true NFL legend and trailblazer,” Brady wrote in his March 30 Instagram post for Arians. Smart, tough and loyal are some of the words that describe your style. I will always remember the conversations we had when I was drafted two years ago and all the things we discussed came true. We all benefited from his leadership and guidance and I am so proud of all that we have accomplished. You were a huge part of my decision to join the Bucs and I will be eternally grateful to you.”

Brady notably attended Arians’ retirement news conference on March 31.

“We have a great relationship,” Arians told the media on March 31. “Every player, every one of them has been cursed, including him. That’s just part of me… People have to write [expletive]. Couldn’t be further from the truth.”

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