Bruce Arians informed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Wednesday that he’s retiring as head coach and handing the reins to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Arians’ decision comes two weeks after Brady ended his short retirement to come back to Tampa Bay. While this announcement may be unexpected, it didn’t blindside Brady.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Brady learned of Arians’ plans “either the same day or a day after” he decided to return for another season on March 13.
#Bucs QB Tom Brady was informed Bruce Arians planned to step down and Todd Bowles would succeed him as head coach either the same day or a day after the QB announced he was ending his retirement, the @TB_Times has learned. Team insists it was not related to Brady’s decision.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 31, 2022
Framed that way, the timing certainly feels more than coincidental. Did Brady’s return lead to Arians’ departure?
In a sense, perhaps. While Arians told Pro Football Talk’s Peter King and Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times that no friction between him and Brady sparked his retirement, the 69-year-old said he felt better about giving Bowles the chance to lead a Super Bowl contender.
“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,” Arians said. “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.”
Arians said it was easier to walk away knowing the team is in good hands. It sounds like he reached this conclusion instantly after Brady decided to run it back for another year.
Brady called Arians a “true NFL legend and pioneer” as well as an “incredible man and coach” in an Instagram post Wednesday evening. Having known about Arians retiring before the rest of the team, he had time to prepare a polished statement.
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