He Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an especially uncharacteristic season for a team just two years after their Super Bowl LV victory, but for former head coach Bruce Arians, that had a lot to do with Tom Brady’s struggles both on and off the field.
Arians, who has served as the team’s senior adviser since retiring as coach in 2021, said Wednesday on «The Rich Eisen Show» that there were a number of factors that contributed to the Bucs’ disappointing season that ended in a wild-card loss. . toward Dallas Cowboys.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers number 12 Tom Brady jumps onto the field before kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2023 in Atlanta. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
He noted that one of the biggest problems the Bucs faced last season was injuries to «key leaders» on the field, including center Ryan Jensen and All-Pro linebacker Shaq Barrett.
RAIDERS’ DARREN WALLER CONVINCED TOM BRADY ‘IT WAS A LOCKOUT’ TO SIGN WITH LAS VEGAS IN 2020
However, he also said that Brady «wasn’t himself» apparently referencing the veteran quarterback’s high-profile divorce from Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen.
«Tom wasn’t himself, you know, with all the things that were going on. And I have to give him all the credit in the world for fighting what happened last year for his teammates. I think the world of him, but He wasn’t the real Tom Brady.»
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, #12, sits with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 16, 2023 in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Brady and Bündchen announced their divorce in October after 13 years of marriage.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
«We came to this decision amicably and with gratitude for the time we spent together. We are blessed with beautiful and wonderful children who will continue to be the center of our world in every way,» Brady said in a statement at the time.
Months later he announced his retirement from the nfl after 23 years for the second time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers number 12 Tom Brady shouts in celebration after running for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Tampa , fl. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Arians said he doesn’t think Brady will make another quick exit out of retirement like he did in 2022, adding that the future Hall of Famer has moved on to the «next chapter» of his life.
«He’ll be more than ready, he’ll do a great job,» Arians said of Brady’s next effort on the telecast.