Brady's relationship with Arians soured during 2021 season?

Tom Brady (12) and Bruce Arians Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady's relationship with Bruce Arians soured during 2021 season?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/18/22

The news that quarterback Tom Brady, who is still technically associated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would retire following the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams last month caught many by surprise. It was later confirmed by Brady but has since been questioned by analysts and some of his former teammates.

As noted by CBS Boston, a new theory on how Brady's retirement came to be has been floated out there by somebody who may or may not have inside information on the subject.

Former NFL offensive lineman and current radio personality Rich Ohrnberger played alongside Brady as a member of the New England Patriots over a decade ago. Ohrnberger took to Twitter Friday and claimed Brady's relationship with Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians "was souring" through the second half of the season.

Ohrnberger added the supposed issue was linked with the Achilles injury that Arians suffered late in the fall and slowed him through the postseason tournament.

Apparently, while Arians was rehabbing the achilles in the early mornings, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Brady would work on the week's game plan. Arians would later come in and take the red pen to work they'd done. The QB and OC felt undermined, there was tension.
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) February 18, 2022

For what it's worth, Jon Ledyard of Pewter Report isn't buying what Ohrnberger is selling.

I think Patriots ppl been trying to speak this into existence for awhile now lol. Meanwhile the offense was top of the NFL in every category that matters and Brady had one of his best seasons ever. All despite injuries. What a mess
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) February 18, 2022

Interestingly, multiple knowledgeable individuals have suggested/hinted/teased Brady's alleged retirement is some sort of "power play" to allow him to leave the Buccaneers for a different contender, specifically a San Francisco 49ers side reportedly ready to move on from veteran Jimmy Garoppolo but possibly not yet prepared to name 2021 rookie Trey Lance the new starter.

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Brady told broadcaster and friend Jim Gray in Monday's season-closing broadcast of their "Let's Go!" podcast he's "super content and happy" with his decision to retire even though he previously remarked he'd "never say never" about a potential comeback.

"All you can do is take it day by day, nothing’s promised for us," Brady said at that time. "I’m gonna do things I really enjoy and spend time with people that I really enjoy spending time with. So the future is bright. I look forward to the opportunities that are ahead and I look forward to speaking with everyone again next year."

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