EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Falcons HC claims Tom Brady is root of Buccaneers' problems

Tom Brady is at the center of everything that is going wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to former Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith. Brady has been in the headlines for his on- and off-field issues over the last six weeks and Smith thinks the team's problems are down to the 45-year-old quarterback.

On The BallFather podcast presented by Sportskeeda, Smith said the missed practices in the offseason and Robert Kraft's wedding, among other things, have contributed to the Buccaneers' downfall.

Smith said:

"[Bruce Arians] steps down, takes a position in the front office after Tom Brady unretires. Todd Bowles is named as the head coach. [Brady] takes time away, 11 days and in training camp, you know, he misses that, he misses practices, they're not playing, he misses practice on Friday and Saturday, like you said, to go to a wedding."

The former Falcons HC continued:

“You know, if they're five and one, nobody's talking about this. And look, you don't treat, as a head coach, you don't treat everybody the same. And, you know, it's tough decisions that you have to make as a head coach on so many levels."

Smith also went on to remark on how the Buccaneers are suffering as a franchise due to the lack of a market that cities like LA and New York provide:

"Unfortunately, Tampa Bay is not in a big market. It's not LA, it's not New York. But man, for some reason, right now, Tom Brady, not only is he on the sports page, but he's gone every state, every section of the newspaper.”

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Tom Brady and Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to sort things out and quickly

Tom Brady during the Kansas City Chiefs v Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

Sitting at 3-3, Tampa Bay's season isn't on red alert - but it's close. Picked by many to be the NFC's representative in the Super Bowl, the Buccaneers have been underwhelming this season.

As Smith stated, that could be in part due to Brady's off-field issues as Tampa Bay have looked like a shell of themselves in 2022.

They are joint-first in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons and will not want to slip up and lose top spot. For them to hang on to the top spot, though, all of their key players need to get on the same page.

If not, a season that started with so much expectation could very easily end in disaster.

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If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The BallFather podcast and H/T Sportskeeda.