Did Alleged Rift Between Bruce Arians And Tom Brady Push Arians Out?
March 30th, 2022
“OK Tommy. Now you only need to deal with Byron.”
National guys Joe respects because they are often dead-on in their reporting just would not let the rumor go that there was a rift between Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians and Tom Brady.
Even after Brady announced he was unretiring, these guys would not let this rumor die. Joe wasn’t sure if it was ego (likely) or these guys knew they had the story so they kept pushing it.
So right now, if Joe had to guess, the reason Arians retired today at such an odd time is health. Arians was at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach but left, Bucs spokespeople said, for personal reasons. JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman reached out to Arians on Monday morning and Arians replied that afternoon to Ira that he was sick.
So Joe is going to do the math and suggest Arians resigned at such an odd time because something cropped up that prompted him to quit now — at the end of March.
However, Joe is getting a bunch of texts from fans claiming Arians stepped aside as a condition of Brady’s return.
In the article by Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times announcing Arians’ decision, Arians admitted he’s butted heads with just about everyone he has worked with as a coach.
“I had conflicts with every player I coached because I cussed them all out, including him.”
Now “him” was Arians answering a question about the Brady friction rumors.
So, while Joe believes Arians stepped into the front office in part due to health concerns, the way a few national guys (including one of the guys who broke this news) were so adamant there was friction between Arians and Brady, Joe cannot 100 percent dismiss the theory that if Brady came back Arians would go upstairs at One Buc Palace.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:00 pm
Yes
March 30th, 2022 at 9:00 pm
And it’s a good thing, Arians is Joe Biden of football coaches
March 30th, 2022 at 9:01 pm
Def seems health related.
But it’s all very strange.
And if it is health related, that would mean Brady probably didn’t know when he un-retired… which could lead to all sorts of other issues…
Yikes. Well this offseason has been nothing if not exciting!
March 30th, 2022 at 9:03 pm
Wow. But it might be for the better leaving Lefty free to do his own thing.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
He’s probably tired of working so much. He has plenty of cash to retire with and ready to work 20 hours per week and enjoy his time in Florida while still being connected with the team and the guys he’s close to. This is a win win win in my eyes.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Or…did the NFL want some amazing press to help make up for the Flores situation, as 2 more coaches just joined the suit this week.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:06 pm
I’m thankful to Bruce Arians. He was the Leader this team needed at the time.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Brady got Arians kicked out
March 30th, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Bruce talked about trading Brady to where he wanted to go was “bad for business” and he’d consider it for 5 first round picks. Either Bruce just had a major turn in his health that wasn’t already known the weeks leading into it or the idea that you need 5 first round picks is irrelevant if you need future considerations for a top 5 QB.
Remember how the reaction between Brady pet project AB was blamed on Bruce’s reaction to him not going into the game?
There’s definitely bad blood between Brady and Ariana and in the end you take the top 5 QB over a coach any day. Make him a consultant, whatever makes your best player happy.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Now my username on here can come true. BA4President!
March 30th, 2022 at 9:11 pm
Glad BA is gone.
What did he do that will be missed?
He admitted on Colin Cowherd show all he did for game planning was “recommend a few plays”
Brady is the reason Bucs won the Super Bowl, not BA.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
I suppose, if the offense suddenly develops different tendencies to a slant towards the Brady formula, we can speculate this was an issue between Goat and Goatee.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
The Bucs are a world class organization run by world class folks and engaged owners. It’s worth defending and that’s usually what I’m about from the top to the trainers. However, I think there is some smoke to this fire. I think Arians is respected by players but also can be too blunt. That can be a delicate line. There could have been more to the butting of heads than B.A cares to admit. Who knows? I would not have drawn it up this way but having B.A remain Head Coach or Brady back? Sorry Bucco if that were the ultimatum. Still, if he really does stay involved in the organization, it would be nice. He’s definitely shown that he cares for his entire staff.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
President of football operations Tom Brady got rid of the dead weight…
March 30th, 2022 at 9:14 pm
Well said Big Mac.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:14 pm
Besides undermining Leftwich and Brady, What did the Bucs just lose?
March 30th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
If somehow AB gets resigned this year you know without a shadow of a doubt Bruce was given the heave-ho. I don’t know that he could be given what happened last year but that would pretty much remove all doubt given we know Arians was against signing AB in the first place.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
If Brady signs an extension, then you can definitely consider there was a rift. If there was a rift, it has to include the way AB was treated by BA. TB12 knew AB was under paid and he was instrumental in helping us get to the promised land. TB12 thought they should’ve paid ABs bonus and gotten a raise. If BA would’ve shut his yap, AB would’ve been on the team and we would’ve beaten the rams and be the first repeat SB champs.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
1,000,000% Brady coming back was on this condition that Arians stepped aside.
They just wanted to wait until after most of Free Agency was over so it wouldn’t affect signing some new guys.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
Brady got arians kicked out so bowles would step in?
Please
Did you guys not watch the end of the rams game?
That probably got brady so irked he was peace out in the first place
Offense having to score and score and score cause defense gave up the booty a majority of games last 2 years? No way
Cause brady would have wanted own staff or leftwich cause they seem to have solid relationship
If its arians health, i hope its not serious
Thanks for a super bowl coach
March 30th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
Will the Bucs be awarded with a third round comp pick this draft or next?
Probably next year since they already rewarded all the comp picks for the draft in April.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Playoffs? Super Bowl?
Man, folks have very short memories.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Wow, even getting throw out, bruce arrogance is still trying to take all the credit. What a clown.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
BRADY TO DOLPHINS RUMORS *WERE TRUE*
Now it makes sense that the Brady-To-Miami rumors were probably true. It was probably discussed with the Bucs front office that Brady want to comeback but be traded because he didn’t want to play for Arians again. And they wanted to stay in Florida and the Dolphins are a team on the rise.
But the Glazers, after hosting Brady in England, “came to terms” about what it would take for him to return to the Bucs and part of that was if Arians was no longer the head coach.
BOOK IT!
March 30th, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Watch Brady sign an extension cause the offense is literally his.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:21 pm
“Before you start thinking this is about my health, don’t,” Arians said in the 12-paragraph statement. “This is the best I have felt in many years and I’m looking forward to helping this team continue winning through my new role.
“I wanted to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed,” Arians added.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Arians says it’s not health related, but he wanted to pass the baton to Bowles so that he had a team that could compete. Not one like he had in NY. IMO, he got moved aside. I thought during this whole TB12 unretiring process that I’d never be saying that!!!! WOW!!!!
March 30th, 2022 at 9:21 pm
And *NOW* Gronk will sign because Arians stepping aside is official.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Did anyone think that perhaps Bruce is having health issues?
– he’s lost a lot of weight
– he’s old
– he’s had cancer twice
Quit piling on he’s done a great job
March 30th, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Joe Says: Playoffs? Super Bowl?
But what did he do? Did he work on the game plan or call plays?
What did he specifically do that will be missed?
Try to make the argument Bucs don’t win the Super Bowl without BA. LOL.
Brady is responsible for the Super Bowl, not BA.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:32 pm
Do all you guys really think BA rubbed the players wrong that badly?..
March 30th, 2022 at 9:35 pm
I think Brady possibly intimated his belief that a coaching change would be beneficial – but I doubt it was a condition for his return.
I will go to my grave believing that TB believes BA cost him another ring by ‘bullying’ and mishandling Antonio….just like TB believes BB cost him another ring by ‘bullying’ and mishandling Malcolm Butler against the Eagles
March 30th, 2022 at 9:51 pm
Some of you guys should work for one of those opinion networks that claim to be news outlets. You keep spouting conspiracy theories without any actual evidence. but push it as if they are proven facts. FAKE NEWS!! I am going to take Arians at his word because the evidence would suggest that if there was a rift between BA and TB12 it was because Arians had a tendency to be TOO HONEST. I don’t see him as a gut who’s suddenly going to transform into a lying weasel now. For those of you who think he deserves none of the credit for our recent success I just have to say I’m glad you are not in a position to actually influence what the Bucs’ do in real life.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:54 pm
Leftwich should of been named HC , Bowles cost the Bucs a chance at Super Bowl with his blitz calling , especially at the end of the game. Leaving Kupps 1on 1 with Bunting.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:55 pm
Brady knows how to win, BA was toast. Many times over the last two seasons Brady would question play calls and timeouts. Every rumor was true and now we know who went to the movies. There’s a new sherrif in town and it ain’t Toilet Bowls!
March 30th, 2022 at 9:56 pm
Oh and congratulations Bucs Fans you may of just got yourselves another SB, this guy does what he says.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:56 pm
This is clearly what happened.
March 30th, 2022 at 9:59 pm
No matter how much I want to believe it I just don’t believe it was health reasons. The way it all played out just does not make any sense. Maybe there is something to the reports that there was some real friction between Brady and Arians. Now if all of a sudden Brady signs an extension then problems between Brady and Arians will seem even more plausible.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:00 pm
Who gives up the chance to coach Brady, especially after he delegated out the play calling.
Not buying it.
The only thing that makes sense is Brady came back knowing this would happen. If he now signs an extension we know for sure.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:03 pm
RPK? Wear the boots if you want to but not the steel-toed ones. Man. B.A’s a great coach. Could be his health. Maybe it was Brady. Didn’t sound like B.A. was going far away. Didn’t sound like a toxic end. Nothing but love – Big time love for Coach B.A. What a great coach! What a great man. I really love that we are watching great coaching while simultaneously breaking down barriers. B.A played a big role in that. There’s no reason to throw stones at the best Bucs coach to ever walk the Ray Jay sidelines. He’s earned my respect. I really do hop we get to see him at Ray Jay while still working in a front office role.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:16 pm
Maybe Brady retired because this was in the works since the end of last season…. Arians just said he wanted to turn over the team to in a good spot and Brady said no to Bowles. Took a little convincing and Arians staying around to make Brady come back
March 30th, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Yep. Whatever he did he is, to me, THE very best Coach we have ever had. And Listn can take his “may of” to the dunce cap corner long with his comments..
March 30th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
This alleged rift is garbage.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:48 pm
MSM had it out for BA the minute he called out the Brady after having a bad game, and they only let the AB antics fuel that fire. Personally, I don’t think Brady could play for anyone that didn’t treat him like every other player. So until I see anything confirming Brady didn’t like BA, I think it’s a lot of hot air.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
Hall of Famer Coach
March 30th, 2022 at 11:18 pm
I believe he is leaving now to give Bowles the best possible platform to demonstrate his ability to be a head coach. Plain and simple.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:32 pm
JESUS H. CHRIST.
A little F’ING RESPECT to the HC who has won a WHOLE LOT of DAMN football games here… and achieved Tampa Bay a Super Bowl CHAMPIONSHIP.
Show some FRIKKING CLASS.
Not to all of you. But to a F’ING LOT of you.
Makes me sick.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:32 pm
It’s why most of the time now, I just read the articles…. and skip the comments.
March 31st, 2022 at 12:23 am
RPK,
BA made this coaching staff. He has always deflected credit. So when you say what did he do, he did a lot that you won’t understand. Things aren’t so black and white for your IQ to digest.
There is no SB and no Brady without BA as HC. There is no Bowles, no BL, no nobody turning this dumpster fire of a franchise around without BA. Yes, Brady took us over the top, but name any team Brady doesn’t have that affect on? But a horrible coaching staff can be the difference from last man standing to being bounced in the first playoff game. Most of the wins happen the week leading up to Sunday, make no mistake.
You losers have no respect and no clue. Open your mouth and leave no doubt of how classless you are. BA left a HC meeting in the middle. That tells you this is health related. And while you’re at it, give Brady some respect for not being the cancer you proper make him out to be by being someone I would get rid of a coach. Dude has paid his dues playing for the most F you coach in the league in BB.
March 31st, 2022 at 12:40 am
Lol, just ignore the trolls. These fools get off when you react to their nonsense. BA is the best coach that we have ever had by a wide margin.
March 31st, 2022 at 12:50 am
I am shocked at the hate for BA! Without BA there is no TB12! The speculation concerning Brady and Bruce is worse than the speculation about Russia, Ukraine!
What a wild ride this off-season has been! BA got this team to another level and I’m so grateful to have had such a wise, honest, and high quality man as our head coach. He had the balls to do it his way and make no apologies for it. He stepped aside because of love and loyalty for his guys. Could I be naive? Maybe.
March 31st, 2022 at 1:17 am
We’ll never know. Neither Brady, Arians, or Bucs are ever going to admit it. And it’s perfectly plausible what Arians says.
But look, it’s good that it happened now. Bowles takes over a team a hell of a lot better than the Jets. He has at least a year with a HoF franchise QB. A bunch of the star players are under contract. Most of the coaching staff is still there. I can’t imagine a smoother transition.
March 31st, 2022 at 1:18 am
I’m sorry I didn’t follow the basic bi*** route by heaping praise on BA.
I just honestly don’t know what we are missing now that he is gone.
If JUST ONE Bucs expert can tell me what we are suddenly missing with BA departure, I will apologize and admit I was wrong.
March 31st, 2022 at 6:01 am
You haters are a bunch of tools. Who are you going to hate on now?
March 31st, 2022 at 6:55 am
This fan appreciates all that BA did for these Bucs. May your next ten be even better than your last 5!. Thanks for the good memories.
March 31st, 2022 at 7:54 am
It’s too bad if the story is true. Arians and Brady were quite the dynamic duo. I can understand Arians’ acerbic personality rubbing people the wrong way, but not the Goat. I prefer to think it was for health reasons, because Arians has a history of health issues including previous bouts with cancer.
March 31st, 2022 at 11:40 am
RPK, great question that no one has addressed thus far and for good reason, there is no answer. Yes he gets credit for wining and dining Brady or was it Brady looked at Evan’s, Godwin, the oline and said to himself if I pull in AB, Gronk & Lenny we really got something? Either way BA was 7-9, Tommy Boy did ALL the winning from there, BA went along for the ride.