Tom Brady and I get too much credit

Bruce Arians, fresh out of the head coaching chair, has an interesting perspective on NFL team success.

Speaking to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday, Arians was asked about Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and had some interesting comments about Tampa Bay’s offense over the past two seasons.

“I get credit, and [Tom] Brady gets way too much credit for what Byron is doing with our offense,” Arians said. “One of the reasons I’m hoping he gets all the recognition he deserves this year is to get a coaching gig. You know, last year he had about four or five teams that were really interested. . . . I would expect him to become a head coach very quickly.”

Arians has previously said he gets too much credit but it was interesting that he threw Brady into the mix here. There were rumors that Arians had decided to give up the head coaching chair due to a falling out with Brady, who retired after the season but didn’t retire just over a month later.

Both sides have denied any reports of a rift, and Arians maintained the same tune during Wednesday’s interview.

“No, not at all,” Arians said when asked if the friction forced him. “You know me. I curse them all. We have a great relationship.”

Leftwich, who has coordinated the Bucs’ offense since 2019, was handed over to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for the vacant head coaching job last month. Bowles has head coaching experience and managed the Jets from 2015 to 2018.

Arians said in the interview that Leftwich was “that close” to landing the Jaguars head coaching job this offseason, which eventually went to Doug Pederson. It’s widely expected that the former NFL quarterback will land a coaching job sooner rather than later.