Bruce Arians dismisses Tom Brady beef after announcing he is stepping down as Bucs head coach

Bruce Arians stated throughout a press convention Thursday that reviews of friction between him and Tom Brady “could not be farther from the reality.”

Arians, 69, introduced on Wednesday that he was stepping down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take a entrance workplace place with the workforce. His resolution to step down got here after quarterback Tom Brady determined to return to the workforce for an additional run. 

“We’ve got an amazing relationship,” Arians stated of Brady. “I imply, all the gamers — there are just a few of them right here — each one in every of them’s gotten stubborn out, together with him. In order that’s simply a part of me, ? That is nothing new, however we have now an amazing relationship. As quickly as he retired, I feel we texted each week. ‘The place you at? What are you doing? When are you gonna come play golf? When are you getting again down this manner?’ And so … individuals gotta write s—, and it could not be farther from the reality.”

The choice for Arians to step down took place two months after the Buccaneers have been eradicated from the postseason and fewer than 14 months after he led the workforce to a victory in Tremendous Bowl LV over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.

Arians went into particulars of the choice through the press convention.

“Plenty of individuals have already requested, ‘Why are you stepping away from an opportunity to go to the Corridor of Fame and win one other Tremendous Bowl?’ As a result of I do not give a s— concerning the Corridor of Fame,” Arians stated. “Succession is method necessary to me. This has been my dream for a very long time. Guys that know me, they knew I wished one in every of my guys to take over.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians gestures after a name through the sport between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 16, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. 
(Photograph by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

Tampa Bay is selling Todd Bowles to its new head coach. Bowles had served because the defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers since 2019. He was beforehand the top coach of the New York Jets from 2015-2018.

“Guys that know me, they knew I wished one in every of my guys to take over. And that is extra necessary to me than something, and have a spot that I might go and be welcomed again,” Arians stated. “And clearly, I’ve a job now and the title’s fairly good. We’ll determine what the hell it means, nevertheless it’s fairly rattling good. And I get to remain and have the relationships that I really like, and I could not flip it over to a greater individual. … Todd’s going to do an amazing job.”

TOM BRADY ISSUES STATEMENT ON FORMER HEAD COACH BRUCE ARIANS

Arians began eager about leaving his place as Buccaneers head coach after the season, nevertheless it wasn’t the best time, he stated. As soon as Brady determined to come back again, Arians stated the choice was “straightforward.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Head Coach Bruce Arians earlier than the common season sport between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 9, 2022 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
(Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)

“Clearly, going by the mix, going by that course of, and making an attempt to construct subsequent 12 months’s workforce with out Tom,” the coach stated. “After which when Tom stated he’d come again, I stated, ‘Now it is simple. Now it is simple.’ We’re in one of the best form we have ever been. It is no higher time to go the torch than now. I do not know what February brings, however I do know what right this moment brings, and it makes me actually completely satisfied.”

Brady thanked his former head coach on social media Wednesday.

“Thanks, BA for all that you’ve finished for me and our workforce. You’re an unimaginable man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you. You’re a true NFL legend and pioneer for all of the work you could have finished to make the league extra various and inclusive,” Brady wrote on Instagram. 

In three seasons with the Buccaneers, Arians led the workforce to a 31-18 document within the common season. He beforehand served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17.