Just one day after the conclusion of the NFL’s annual owners’ meetings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has decided to retire from coaching for a second time. The Super Bowl-winning head coach will step down in favor of hand-picked replacement, Todd Bowles, as the Bucs prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Arians previously retired from coaching in 2018 after five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He came out of retirement after a year to join the Bucs and eventually led the franchise to his first and only Super Bowl win as a head coach.
Bruce Arians retires as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arians, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl 55 win over the Kansas City Chiefs a little over a year ago, will leave the head coaching ranks, even as QB Tom Brady has decided to return from a brief “retirement” hiatus. The Buccaneers have already rebuilt their offensive line and added weapons to their offense and defense.
On Wednesday, Arians informed his coaching staff and players that he is stepping aside from the head coach position and moving into the front office as a senior football consultant.
Bowles will now inherit a team that most pundits would consider an NFC contender no matter who was at the top of the coaching totem pole. Bowles, the team’s longtime defensive coordinator, will finally receive another shot at leading a franchise after his failed stint with the New York Jets, where he compiled a 24-40 record from 2015-2018. He will be aided by fellow longtime Arians disciple, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
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Shortly after Arians announced his intent to his staff and players, new head coach Todd Bowles released a statement.
“I am appreciative of the Glazer family and Jason Licht for having faith in me to take on this role, and to Coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” said Bowles. “Tampa has become home for my family, and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. As an organization, we have all the pieces in place to continue the winning standard that has been established here in recent years. I am eager to get started with our players, coaching staff, and front office in preparation for the 2022 season.”
What led to Bruce Arians retiring from coaching?
Arians told King that he started thinking about stepping down at the NFL Scouting Combine back in February. Amongst the reasons for stepping down, health wasn’t the main factor.
“Succession has always been huge for me. With the organization in probably the best shape it’s been in its history, with Tom Brady coming back … I’d rather see Todd in position to be successful and not have to take some [crappy] job. I’m probably retiring next year anyway, in February. So, I control the narrative right now. I don’t control it next February because [if] Brady gets hurt, we go 10-7, and it’s an open interview for the job … I got 31 [coaches and their] families that depend on me. My wife is big on not letting all those families down.”
And when did Arians start really considering retirement?
“It hit me after the Super Bowl,” Arians told NBC Sports. “I thought really hard about going out on top. Then it was like, nah, let’s go for two. [The 2021 season] was a grind with all the injuries but still winning and getting to where we got. Immediately after, two to three weeks afterwards [I thought] … if I quit, my coaches get fired. I couldn’t do it then.
“Tom was kind of the key. When Tom decided to come back … and all of these guys back now, it’s the perfect timing for me just to go into the front office and still have the relationships that I love.”
What does this mean for Tom Brady?
Arians’ shocking retirement comes as rumors of Brady’s interest in other teams have begun to bubble. With Arians leaving his post, those rumors will only pick up more steam.
The Buccaneers have dealt with rumors of a rift between Brady and Arians over the past year. With Arians out of the mix, perhaps Brady, who is fond of Leftwich, will seek to stay in Tampa Bay long term. While Bowles is a defensive-minded head coach, Brady was successful with Bill Belichick for years. With Bowles focusing on building a stellar defense, Brady and Leftwich can make the most of their offense.
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However, if Brady feels like the Bucs are in transition, he might try to force the issue and push a trade to a QB-needy team. Or even one that needs an upgrade at the position, namely the Miami Dolphins, who have had a lukewarm relationship with incumbent QB Tua Tagovailoa over the past three years. The Dolphins have also been previously linked to Brady.
Either way, a big change is coming to Tampa Bay, and Brady will have a decision to make, especially as franchise QBs are moving around at a historic pace this offseason.
Full statement from Bruce Arians
Arians released this statement, according to the official website for the Buccaneers.
“I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another. Today, I have made the decision to move from the sidelines into another role with the Buccaneers front office, assisting Jason Licht and his staff. I love football. I love the relationships, the strategy, the competition—everything. It has been one hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time for me to make this transition.
“So why now?
“The simple answer is that I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed I could during this incredible coaching journey. Winning Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family in attendance, was really the last item I wanted to check off my career bucket list. For me, this is about more than just trying to add more wins to my coaching record.
“This team is in a much better place than it was three years ago due to Jason’s great work and the Glazer family’s commitment to winning. Before you start thinking this is about my health, don’t. This is the best I have felt in many years and I’m looking forward to helping this team continue winning through my new role.
“I want to focus on what I can give back to this incredible game that has provided so much for me and my family. I really began thinking about my personal transition plan earlier this offseason. I wanted to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed. So many head coaches come into situations where they are set up for failure, and I didn’t want that for Todd. Tom’s decision to come back, along with Jason and his staff doing another great job of keeping the core of this team intact during free agency, confirmed for me that it was the right time to pass the torch to Todd. I began conversations with Jason and the Glazer family a few weeks ago about a possible succession plan. Their understanding and support mean the world to me.
“Todd is a great football coach and I know he will do excellent things here with the Buccaneers. The coaching staff has been crucial to the success we have enjoyed here the past few seasons. Coaching is about teaching players, and this staff has some of the best teachers in the business.
“Professionally, I have been blessed to work for many great organizations. I’d like to thank Michael Bidwell for turning my dream of being an NFL head coach into a reality in 2013. I would especially like to acknowledge the entire Glazer family for bringing me to Tampa Bay in 2019 and providing all the support and vision a coach could ask for. None of this success would have been possible without their complete buy-in and backing.
“There are too many people who have played a part in my coaching career to mention them all now. To all of them, I say: Thank You. I could not have made it here without your support, hard work and belief in me.
“I can’t end this announcement without a nod to all of the players I have been fortunate to coach along the way. I have been part of some special teams and those are always composed of exceptional players who put the needs of the team before their own. They made me a better coach and a better leader.
“Lastly, I want to thank the fans of Tampa Bay for their unwavering support over these past three years. Chris and I arrived here in 2019 and were blown away by their enthusiasm and passion. I am happy we got to share that Super Bowl season together and I look forward to contributing to even more championship moments with this special organization.
“Go Bucs!”