Is Tom Brady changing the Bucs’ gameplans without consulting head coach Todd Bowles?

If we’re honest, it’s not a big surprise to learn that Tom Brady has a say in what gameplans the Bucs use. On the other hand, if his word gets implemented without the coach’s say so, something’s wrong. Right?

Facts & Feelings: Is Tom Brady the Bucs’ shadow coach?

Here are the facts: Tom Brady has been in the NFL for 23 seasons and during that time, has won seven Super Bowls, while establishing himself as the universal vote for the people’s GOAT. With that in mind, it would be naïve to believe that to believe that the legendary signal caller doesn’t have a say in the gameplans that are used from week-to-week. Yet, as we can all attest, it’s not what you say but rather how you say it.

If we take a recent story from the San Francisco Chronicle for example, it’s fairly clear that the Bucs star didn’t like the way in which things were said. According to the piece, Brady holds separate meetings with Bucs skill position players in which he reviews the week’s game plan and alters it. While that in itself is nothing to write home about, the article adds that said meetings are conducted without head coach Todd Bowles and OC Byron Leftwich, which most definitely is. In theory, that would mean that both coaches only see Brady’s changes in the game itself. This is where we come to the feelings. As we said before, Brady didn’t hide that he wasn’t pleased about the report. Indeed, when asked on Thursday, his displeasure was clear. “No,” Brady said. “I have no idea. I mean, anybody can write anything, and say whatever they want. So, no. ...I’m not gonna respond to every - next question.”

Truth hurts about the Bucs not Brady

There are two possibilities to consider here if we’re honest. On the one side, there is no truth in article and Brady is offended by the idea that someone, would even suggest that he’s the man running the show. Then we have the other, which is to say the five-time Super Bowl MVP is angry because the truth is out. Either way, it’s worth mentioning that there have definitely been moments in which Brady and the Bucs coaching staff were not in agreement. Most recently, we saw Bowles reject Brady’s request to stay on the field during the team’s win over the Saints in Week 13. Ultimately, none of this proves anything, but if there’s one possible reason why Brady could’ve been so touchy, it might be the 6-7 record that the Bucs are currently sitting on with an offense that’s ranked 17th in DVOA in the NFL.