Bruce Arians’ sudden retirement as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers caused an immediate whirlwind of speculation around the league.
Did Tom Brady’s return have anything to do with his departure? Or was it simply just a sudden change of heart?
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport believes he has the answer to the awkward timing of Arians’ retirement. He feels the Super Bowl-winning head coach was just making sure things were in order before handing the keys over to his friend Todd Bowles.
“What it sounded like he wanted was everyone to re-sign and everything to be settled before he handed [the team] off,” Rapoport explained. “… This is from my reporting — and I feel like people don’t believe it, but I really believe that it is true. One of the main reasons Bruce Arians handed it over to Todd Bowles was because Brady came back. He was like ‘I’m handing over a rockstar team to this assistant coach that I respect more than anyone. I’m going to make sure Todd Bowles is in a great situation.’
“It seems like Brady kicked him out, when in reality, he might be the greatest mentor we’ve seen in a long time.”
“I truly believe Bruce Arians thought it was the perfect time for Todd Bowles to be the Head Coach of the Bucs” ~@RapSheet#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/4y2GK2VzH6
— WrestleMania Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 1, 2022
With Brady back under center and several key free agents re-signing with the team, Bowles has a Super Bowl-contending team to work with in his first year as an NFL head coach.
Arians will remain on the Bucs staff as a senior football consultant.
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