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 the 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 return announcement that he would be stepping…
