It’s a wedding, not a divorce, that has one quarterback legend worried about Tom Brady.
Former Giants quarterback and Super Bowl winner Phil Simms recently said on Paramount+’s “Inside the NFL” that he thinks Brady has caused “distractions” for the Buccaneers, including his decision to attend Robert Kraft’s wedding earlier this month.
“The distractions caused by him: Going away for 10 days in training camp, what went on with the wedding is a distraction to the football team. It hurts,” Simms said.
Brady was one of the many former Patriots present for Kraft’s star-studded nuptials to Dana Blumberg in New York. It was two days before the Buccaneers were upset by the Steelers, 20-18, in Pittsburgh. The 45-year-old quarterback traveled separately from his teammates and missed Saturday’s walk-through and team meetings.
The segment of “Inside the NFL” involved analysts discussing what Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson would have done if they could have taken a time machine back to the offseason. That was when Brady opted to retire and then un-retire 40 days later.
Tom Brady at Robert Kraft’s wedding in New York City on Oct. 14, 2022. Christopher Sadowski
Tom Brady during the Buccaneers’ loss to the Panthers on Oct. 23, 2022. AP“If you could go back in time, Tom Brady would stay retired down in Tampa, no doubt about it,” Simms said. “He didn’t know he was going to lose his center and two guards, that’s one thing.”
The Buccaneers have lost four of five games since a 2-0 start. The offense has been uninspired and perhaps hit rock bottom in Sunday’s 21-3 loss to the woeful Panthers.
Brady’s marital troubles and expected divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen have been topping headlines in recent weeks. However, Simms believes it was a different split that is the reason behind Tampa Bay’s downfall.
Before, during, and after Brady’s brief retirement, there were reports of a rift between him and coach Bruce Arians. Shortly after Brady returned to the Bucs, Arians stepped down as coach for a vague front-office role. Todd Bowles was promoted from defensive coordinator to replace him.
Phil Simms on ‘Inside the NFL’ Inside the NFL on Twitter
Tom Brady and Bruce Arians during a Nov. 14, 2021 game against Washington. Getty Images“And most of all, I think they miss the bad guy. And who is the bad guy? That was Bruce Arians. I think they miss him,” Simms said.
