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TAMPA, Fla. — In one of the most shocking moves of arguably the wildest NFL offseason in recent memory, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Wednesday that coach Bruce Arians is transitioning from a head-coaching role into a front-office one, with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles being elevated to head coach.
The timing of the move is unusual — peculiar even. Did Tom Brady push Arians out?
Arians had already committed to returning in 2022 — even doing so in a text to ESPN on Jan. 30, saying he was “totally” returning, even after Brady announced he was retiring. He attended the NFL combine earlier this month and was present at NFL owners’ meetings this week before leaving one day early and not speaking to the media because of what were described as “personal reasons.”
But a source told ESPN that Arians informed Brady shortly after his announcement of a return that he would be stepping aside, which meant Brady was actively recruiting players to join Tampa Bay with full knowledge that Arians wouldn’t be the coach.
What’s also interesting is that Arians informed Bowles of his decision Monday, a source told ESPN, after getting clarity on a hiring rule at owners’ meetings. So Brady knew about this before Bowles did.
Most close to Arians believed that at 69 he would continue coaching for just a few more years. Still, members of his staff were shocked when Arians informed them of the news Wednesday before it was made public. Bowles’ hiring ensures continuity on defense, and it gives Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich even more ownership of the offense.
Bowles had long been considered Arians’ successor had he not been hired elsewhere. He interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears this offseason but was passed up…
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Source : espn
