Saturday is bringing some fast-moving Buccaneers-Bruce Arians developments. Shortly after being linked to the job, Arians interviewed for it, the Bucs announced.
There’s been a sense in the building Arians will end up landing this job. Arians began his campaign to return to the sidelines by saying the only job he would take was the Browns’ position, but the former Cardinals coach has obviously expanded his parameters. This is the only position for which he’s interviewed thus far.
Tampa Bay has already interviewed Kansas City OC Eric Bieniemy and Vikings DC George Edwards and wants to meet with Dallas secondary coach Kris Richard. Arians, though, has more experience and is the only candidate in this group with past HC work on his resume. On top of that, Arians is a two-time coach of the year.
The Bucs kept this quiet, with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporting (via Twitter) this interview occurred Saturday morning, and have a rather significant requirement for their next head coach. The team will bring back Jameis Winston for 2019, despite his shaky on- and off-field track record since entering the league. But Arians has known Winston for years, per Schefter, and worked with Bucs GM Jason Licht when the latter was the Cardinals’ VP of player personnel in 2013. Licht was part of the group that ended up green-lighting Arians becoming the Arizona HC five years ago, per SI.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter).
Arians, 66, stepped down from his Cardinals post after last season. He guided the them to two playoff berths and three 10-win seasons, peaking during Arizona’s 2015 run to the NFC championship game. The former HC and longtime OC spent this season working with CBS, but a return to the sidelines has gained steam. Judging by how fast this is moving, it’s quite possible the Bucs are sold Arians can end their 11-season playoff drought.
If the Bucs do end up making this move, they will be required to compensate the Cardinals in some fashion. Arians’ Arizona contract contained a team option for 2019, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter), and the NFL sent a seemingly Arians-centric memo to teams regarding this recently.
hopefully he can do with jameis Winston what he did with Kurt Warner…
oops I think he had Carson Palmer didn’t he well that would work too…
Excellent Head coach and better OC. What he did with Indy at that time he was interviewed by the Bears .best chance they had sorry Fox but now we’re happy we got Nagy . Things work out. Tampa you need to work this out.
I’m good with it as long as he no longer announces games.
Wow amazing how you go from Cleveland as the only job you will take to the Bucs. Sounds a lot like Mexico will pay for the wall.
Haha facts
He would be a good get for the Bucs. Certainly an upgrade over Lovie Smith and Koetter.
Players love him but he’s rough as hell. Mixes a stiff drink too
I’m going to his house for drinks, then
Best coach out there. Good grab for sure.