Report: Tom Brady, Bruce Arians Golf Outing Nixed by NFL Amid COVID-19

The NFL reportedly barred Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and quarterback Tom Brady from playing golf together last week.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Brady and Arians went to the NFL seeking approval to play two or three rounds of golf but had their plan nixed. Under intensive league protocols, all team employees are prohibited from congregating away from team facilities.

Arians and Brady had planned to hash out "miscommunications" on the golf course. The Bucs lost two straight games heading into their bye week, leading to speculation regarding the status of their relationship.

"They really get along great," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "There's a deep respect there for each other.

Brady has thrown for 3,300 yards and 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 2020. While he's on pace for one of the highest touchdown totals of his career, he's also nearing a career high in interceptions. Mistakes have been a staple of quarterbacks playing their first year in Arians' system, with the offensive guru emphasizing downfield aggression.

While most expected Brady and Arians to find some level of middle ground between their comfort zones, the Bucs have essentially run Arians' system. The checkdowns and passes to running backs that were prevalent during Brady's tenure in New England have been relatively few.

Schefter's report says the Bucs were "confused" by the NFL's stance, but this one is pretty cut and dry. The NFL's policy says no congregating outside team facilities; Brady and Arians were attempting to congregate outside the team facility. Golfing and most outdoor activities are seen as generally safe (provided distancing and mask-wearing), but the NFL is smart to err on the side of caution and not allow any exceptions in the midst of an uncontrolled pandemic.