When Tom Brady left the New England Patriots in 2020, the NFL world was shocked to see his choice. Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a collection of offensive firepower with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a decent offensive line. However, nobody truly considered them a threat. In the first season together, Brady and HC Bruce Arians were able to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the Super Bowl.
The year after that, the team came ever so close to another Super Bowl. Nonetheless, a heartbreaking loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game spelled out a trip back home for them. In contrast to the first two seasons, Brady’s 3rd season with the Bucs was full of offensive woes. Ones that even Leftwich could not solve. However, Shanon Sharpe had his own views on the matter and he did not hold back.
Shannon Sharpe blames Tom Brady for Leftwich decision
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The Buccaneers fired OC, Byron Leftwich, on Thursday after the team’s humiliating loss (31-14) to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. It is no secret that the offense had its wind knocked out of it this season. The team had no running game. A weak offensive line struggled to set the likes of Evans and Godwin let loose on the opposition. Surprisingly, even though the offense was really lacklustre, Brady was still able to rack in 4694 passing yards and was fairly safe with possession of the ball. But for NFL legend and former Broncos TE, Shannon Sharpe, Leftwich was just a scapegoat for the failures of the QB.
"If Tom Brady doesn’t succeed, it’s always got to be someone else’s fault. This is some bulljive."
@ShannonSharpe on the Buccaneers firing OC Byron Leftwich pic.twitter.com/KPLPUiszrT— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) January 19, 2023
The Hall of Famer expressed his thought on the firing. It was pretty obvious that he held Brady responsible for what happened to the OC, instead of holding Leftwich accountable.
Sharpe faces the wrath of the fans
Fans, who saw this latest take, were not at all pleased with the blame game. Some even told Sharpe to “stop the nonsense.”
Are you serious? The man has been in the Superbowl every other year for how many years in a row? Tampa has been in Superbowl or playoffs since his arrival, stop the nonsense Sharpe.
— Carmen Cammarata (@CarmenCammarat2) January 19, 2023
While this fan asked some solid questions to further disprove the former TE’s opinion.
I’m still waiting for the national media to explain to me why the Bucs had one of the best no huddle offenses in football?
Or why they were one of the best play action teams but used it the least?
Why they were a historically bad running team?
Why they hardly use motion?
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) January 20, 2023
Contrary to what Sharpe said, this fan thinks Brady helped Leftwich look better than he would have without him.
Shannon blaming Brady for someone elses failures. Dead last run game in the league shows all you have to know when it comes to why he was fired. Had nothing to do with “Bradys struggles”. Brady made him look not as terrible as it wouldve looked without him there.
— Cody White (@c_white29) January 19, 2023
Another fan gave the QB credit for helping out with the offense in the first two seasons.
First year he won the Superbowl running old plays from NE from Tom himself. Such a bad take from Shannon, last year he changed a lot of the plays from the line of scrimmage and you could literally hear him scream No to some play calls from the broadcast. and its kinda obvious .👇
— mando90 (@mando9011) January 19, 2023
Buccaneers’ GM, Jason Licht, also received his share of the blame for the offense.
Tampa's inability to run the ball is on Jason Licht who did not draft Dalvin Cook. He also did not draft Derwin James either. Both are now All Pro caliber players. SMH!
— Chuckavellie (@GoodCounsel2day) January 19, 2023
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This fan explained how taking Brady away from the equation would make things look.
Take Brady out of the equation. I saw a Bucs Offensive Line that couldn't protect the QB and an Offense that couldn't/didn't run the ball. And if you can't do either of those things, you can't pass the ball either. NONE of which are the fault of the QB.
— Metalcop (@6StringRazer) January 19, 2023
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The situation was not helped by the fact that Arians was replaced by comparatively unproven Todd Bowles, who was the Buccaneers’ DC for the past few seasons.
Watch this story: Truth vs Hype: Will Tom Brady join the Dolphins in 2023?