The rumor mill over why Bruce Arians is no longer head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is working overtime.
Some people believe that seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady forced him out.
Those rumors come from Arians publicly calling out Brady during his time as coach.
Arians disapproving of offense coordinator Byron Leftwich’s game plans are another point of contention.
He would tear up the game plans by the two, according to sources.
Reports came out last season that Tom Brady and Byron Leftwich would have their week’s game plan ready and Bruce Arians would come in and essentially rip it up. With a defensive minded Todd Bowles replacing Arians, it removes any pushback on what Brady/Leftwich’s game plan. pic.twitter.com/JVwj8lTuNG
— 🎙 (@LanceTHESPOKEN) March 31, 2022
If Brady wasn’t happy with Arians, it would make sense that he would want him out of the picture.
But why does it matter if he forced Arians out in Tampa?
If Brady Is Responsible, It Could Hurt His Image
Skip Bayless pondered this question on his show.
If Brady did get Bruce Arians removed, will this taint his image? Now on @undisputed
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 31, 2022
It is a legitimate question to ask about the star quarterback in Tampa.
Brady rarely makes the headlines as a prima-donna player like Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay does.
Rodgers’ image has taken a hit with his public complaints of team management of the Packers.
Something similar could happen with Brady if it comes out he was behind the Arians’ retirement.
It would show Brady as a “my way or the highway” player.
No team wants a player that wants to control every aspect of the team.
A label like this with him hurts everything he’s built over his 23-year career.
Timing Of Arians’ Retirement Is Suspicious
Arians retired shortly after the return of Brady.
What’s more is there were trade rumors coming out about Brady going to Miami.
However, the trade never happened between Tampa and Miami.
That could be because of Arians retiring and leaving free rein of the offense to Leftwich and Brady.
Brady said "either trade me to Miami or fire Arians".
— BRONCOTIZ (@broncotiz) March 31, 2022
There could be a plausible story line of why Brady came back and Arians retired.
A move to Miami could have been a threat used to force out Arians.
He could have come back with a deal to either trade him or can Arians as head coach.
However, we will never know the plans of Brady regarding a Miami trade or Arians’ retirement.
All we know is the timing of everything is highly suspicious.
Brady Has Been Accused Before Of Having Jimmy Garoppolo Traded
The Arians rumors come from past rumors with Brady when he was in New England.
Rumors there were he forced a trade of Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers.
So Tom Brady pushed Jimmy G out of NE, couldn’t stay together with Bill Belichick, and forced Bruce Arians to retire https://t.co/6wZQbNwxX2
— Poor Man’s Packers Podcast (@PMPPod) March 31, 2022
However, the Patriots would debunk those rumors.
That could be the same with the rumors around Arians and Brady.
The two have publicly stated their appreciation of each other.
The Super Bowl champion quarterback would thank the former Bucs coach for all he did with the team.
He also went on to say that the coach was the reason for him signing a deal with the Bucs.
With those things made public, it would make it seem like all the rumors are just that, rumors.
However, people will continue to speculate and say the statement was for optics.
Brady would be risking too much if he were behind all the movements people accuse him of.
NEXT: Byron Leftwich Remains Fast-Tracked For A Head Coaching Job