Todd Bowles will replace Arians as head coach
While this comes as the latest shocker to scroll in NFL tickers, Ariane told NBC Sports and the Los Angeles Times that she started thinking about making the move a month ago at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also contemplated retirement after the Buccaneers' Super Bowl LVI victory in February 2021. Of course, Ariane instead elected to try to replicate this last season, and the Buccaneers were eliminated in the divisional round.
"I have spent the last 50 years of my life as a football coach in some form or the other," Arians said in its statement released by the team. "Today, I've decided to move into another role with the Buccaneers front office, assisting Jason Licht and his staff. I love football. I love relationships, strategy, competition—everything. It's been a One hell of a ride, but I know it's the right time for me to make this change."
Naturally, the timing of this retirement from coaching would lead many to speculate that it might have something to do with Tom Brady deciding to come out of retirement himself. There were rumors that the pair's relationship had soured because of Brady's stint in Tampa Bay, but Ariane said the two had a "great relationship off the field." In fact, Brady's decision to retire eventually paved the way for this decision because Ariane knew the team would be competitive in his departure.
Oh, and in case you were wondering if Arian could pull Tom Brady himself and try to come out of retirement at some point down the line, he effectively closed the door saying: "It That's it. I'm going to turn 70 in October. I just look forward to helping Books because they've been so good to me and my family."
Meanwhile, Bowles - who ESPN reports' Adam Schefter is now receiving a new five-year, head-coaching contract - was the recommended successor to the Arians and is happy that he is able to hand over a stable roster as he serves as head coach. Ascending.
"Succession has always been huge for me," Arian said. "The organization has probably been in the best shape in its history, with Tom Brady back... I want to see Todd in a position to succeed and not take some [crazy] job. I probably retire next year." It's happening in February anyway. So, I control the narrative right now. I don't control it next February because [if] Brady gets hurt, we're 10-7, and that's about the job. I have an open interview for ... I found 31 [coaches] and their] families who depend on me. My wife is big on not disappointing all those families."
Bowles has been with the Buccaneers organization since 2019, when he was hired as the club's defensive coordinator. Prior to this, he was the head coach of the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. The 58-year-old's appointment is the fourth full-time minority coach appointed by the Glazers, the most in NFL history.
For the Arians, the 69-year-old originally made the move to the NFL in 1989 as a running back coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He then made a notable stint in Indianapolis, where he served as Peyton Manning's first quarterback coach. Ben was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Roethlisberger's early days, and was most recently coaching Tom Brady on his way to the quarterback's record seventh Super Bowl title.