Bruce Arians Says Tom Brady Recruited Bucs 'As Hard as We Recruited Him' in 2020

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady's arrival to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 after departing the New England Patriots was a surprise to many at the time, but not to then-Bucs head coach Bruce Arians.

During an appearance on Tuesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Arians was asked about Brady's unexpected arrival in Tampa Bay, and he revealed that the courting was mutual.

"Tommy recruited us as hard as we recruited him, because we had everything he was looking for," Arians said. "He had a home in Florida, he was on the East Coast, he wanted to see Jack, he could get up and back to New York easily, no taxes. And some pretty damn good receivers, and a pretty good offensive line."

Brady and the Bucs were a match made in heaven, as he immediately led the team to a Super Bowl title in the 2020 season for his seventh championship ring. He was named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time for his performance against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the oldest quarterback in NFL history to achieve the feat.

The Bucs have performed well following Brady's retirement and under Arians' successor Todd Bowles, winning each of the last four NFC South titles. The team is hoping to contend for a spot in the Super Bowl this year and will open the season on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.