Report: Bruce Arians Plans To Return In 2022
January 15th, 2022
“Tommy, I will stay if you stay.”
This report signals other things for Joe.
Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (by way of NBC Sports Edge), who is reporting today from the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway along with shameless Eagles homer and Rondé Barber-hater fetching Colleen Wolfe, Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians expects to return in 2022 to coach the Bucs.
At least he plans to.
So what does this tell Joe? That it is very likely Tom Brady also returns. Since the day Brady came to Tampa Bay, Joe believed Arians and Brady were tied at the hip.
Also, and maybe Joe is walking out on a limb here, perhaps Arians believes the bulk of his coaching staff will return? Arians has always said the two things that would chase him from coaching for good are his health and having to coach up new coaches. Arians wants guys that know instinctively what he wants and how to coach up players the way he wants.
Arians has said he has no desire to go through another on-the-job training program for coaches.
Brady returning would be no surprise because Brady has always said his goal was to play at 45 and next summer he turns 45.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Nice!
January 15th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
For what it’s worth, if you believe the national rumor mills, the hype on Leftwich and, to a lesser degree Bowles, seems to have cooled off quite a bit. Seems like only Jacksonville is a legit target for Leftwich, but he wants his own handpicked GM and it doesn’t sound like they’re going to fire their existing GM. The earlier rumors of Leftwich being the favorite in Miami seem to have gone away, as I’m not seeing him connected to either.
Bowles was connected to Chicago, but it doesn’t sound like he’s a favorite.
So it’s very possible the entire gang is back.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Haven’t read/heard that.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Oh wow Joe, I sure do hope that your ‘hunch’ about the assistants returning is right, but I don’t see how Arians could know that. I’m convinced now that we’ll lose Todd Bowles as a minimum. There are 8 teams I think looking to hire new HCs, and Todd is interviewing for at least 3 of them that I know of, and probably more than that. Given what he’s accomplished here over these past 3 years, 1 of those 8 is bound to snatch him up.
Also hope you’re right about Tom Brady returning, but I still can’t see it. Looks to me like the NFC South will be a weak division again next year, but the Bucs have to end up being weakened as much as anyone. JL worked ‘magic’ this year to keep the band together, but the cost of doing that starts rearing its ugly head next year. And if Brady doesn’t believe that the Bucs will be a Super Bowl contender again next year, I can’t see him returning. BUT … stranger things have happened.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:58 pm
You do know he works with these guys daily, right? Think it is fair to assume Arians talks with his assistants often.
Key here is Arians reportedly “plans” to return. Plans change.
January 15th, 2022 at 4:12 pm
I have said several times before that Tommy wants a threepeat, the trifecta, Hat trick, and who knows what strings he may pull to keep the gang together. Don’t misunderestimate the GOAT’s powers of persuasion!
January 15th, 2022 at 4:12 pm
I would not be surprised if almost the entire coaching staff is kept together.
January 15th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
I*** I’m not sure I want him back!! AB was wrong..but Arians did lie about not knowing about AB leg. He throws his players under the bus in the media..INCLUDING BRADY.( who does that)? He never accepts responsibility for his mistakes.
I’d rather hv Josh McDaniels come in or someone else!
January 15th, 2022 at 5:03 pm
McDaniels would get Brady and Gronk back and great offensive mind. Brady’s not coming back to play for BA, guaranteed. Not discipline enough.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Yeah, I’m sure two days before first playoff game, BA is going to announce his retirement. So, if asked, what was he supposed to say?
January 15th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Ron…if it’s fixed, don’t break it.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Ron Says:
January 15th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
I*** I’m not sure I want him back!! AB was wrong..but Arians did lie about not knowing about AB leg. He throws his players under the bus in the media..INCLUDING BRADY.( who does that)? He never accepts responsibility for his mistakes.
I’d rather hv Josh McDaniels come in or someone else!
He knew about in in GENERAL. AB took a shot before the game like probably a dozen OTHER injured players. AB didn’t say sh!t to ANYone during the course of the game about hurting to much to play. If Brady deserves criticism, Arians criticizes him. Brady is a man, he can take it.(unlike…say, Carson Wentz, for instance) Arians is the best coach in the NFL, I’m thankful we have him
January 15th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Not too many years ago, fans would have been happy just having a winning season and not being embarrassed week after week. I am glad BA will be back.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Didnt even think it was a question that Arians is returning. Even if Brady retires I see Bruce staying and working with our QB situation and setting his successor up.
Defense Rules…..You gotta stop obsessing over CAP man. It laughable you think Brady might leave over our CAP…….Its actually very simple. If Brady stays we push more money back and keep our roster loaded and ready to make another run. Basically we use the same formula the Saints used for years and years.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Listnfrmafar Says:
“Brady’s not coming back to play for BA, guaranteed. Not discipline enough.”
I nominate this post for stupidest of the year.
Glad to hear BA is already saying he “plans” to be back next year.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Pickgrin Says:
I nominate this post for stupidest of the year.
*********************************************************
Whoa!
Slow down just a little.
It’s only January and I’m sure there’s a few whoppers just waiting out there!
You have to be fair and give them a chance too!
January 15th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
The DUMB (Force) is strong in some of you. Sheesh!!
January 15th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
Pickgrin Says:
January 15th, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Listnfrmafar Says:
“Brady’s not coming back to play for BA, guaranteed. Not discipline enough.”
I nominate this post for stupidest of the year.
Glad to hear BA is already saying he “plans” to be back next year.
gp Says:
January 15th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Pickgrin Says:
I nominate this post for stupidest of the year.
*********************************************************
Whoa!
Slow down just a little.
It’s only January and I’m sure there’s a few whoppers just waiting out there!
You have to be fair and give them a chance too!
No this is maybe top 10 stupidest, or top 20.
So List, when was the last time you actually spoke to Brady???
Lolololol you are just taking another shot at BA.
Like always, you keep singing the same old song, like a dog howling at the moon.
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
JimmyJack … I never said Brady would leave over the CAP. What I said was ‘if Brady doesn’t believe that the Bucs will be a Super Bowl contender again next year, I can’t see him returning.’
There is a difference. Brady came here IMO because he believed the Bucs could compete for the 2020 SB. And obviously he was 100% correct. The Bucs pulled out all the stops to make sure we’d be competitive again in 2021. And we are. But Brady can retire any time he wants, and my belief is that he won’t stick around at age 45 quarterbacking a team unless he believes the Bucs will be competitive in 2022. Just an opinion & if you don’t share it that’s fine. But no need to be disrespectful of others’ opinions if they differ from yours.
January 15th, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Joe … ‘You do know he works with these guys daily, right?’
My point Joe about ‘I don’t see how Arians could know that’ (about his assistants returning) is that other teams are still interviewing (Vikings for instance have expressed an interest in Todd Bowles) and I don’t see how Arians … at this point … could know how those hirings will shake out.
January 15th, 2022 at 6:43 pm
I am really hoping there’s something behind the scenes for Bowles and BL.
January 15th, 2022 at 7:12 pm
And Ron wins the award for the dumbest comment of the year…
Congrats Ron. You are truly a moron of the highest degree.
Let’s fire a Super Bowl winning coach – a coach that just went 13-4…
Because why?
Antonio “the total psychopath” Brown…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Thank you for that laugh.
January 15th, 2022 at 7:28 pm
Defense Rules. Sorry if I disrespected you. Didnt mean to.
But you are mustaken on how the salary CAP works with some of your comments……..For example when you say that a bad CAP situation “starts rearing its ugly head next year”………Thats doesnt have to be the case. It certainly could be the case if Brady retires but it doesnt look like he is going to retire the way he is slinging it.
If Brady returns you simply restructure contracts and free up money to bring all your players back again. And you push the dead CAPs down the road. And do it again the next year so long as Brady still has gas left in the tank.
January 15th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
BRUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCEEEEEE!!!! LFG!!
January 15th, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Bruce, check with Tom before you plans about returning
January 15th, 2022 at 8:07 pm
I’d rather hv Josh McDaniels come in or someone else!
NO!!!
Last seen as a Head Coach, Josh was a loser and got run out of town in Denver
BA is the current Super Bowl Champion HC and 2 time Coach of the year.
and as T Sumner said… BRUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCEEEEEE!!!! LFG!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 15th, 2022 at 8:09 pm
BA …!! Let’s go Bucs!! Ain’t mad about this just leave the no risk it no biscuit offense !! Maybe some times !!!!
January 15th, 2022 at 9:43 pm
You’re watching Brady’s last season unless the Bucs pull a miracle and win the Super Bowl again.
Brady just put up a record numbers year. But he also saw what can happen when a good team gets hit with injuries.
Brady’s legacy is complete. A took an losing team to the title and finished a 2nd season with them at 13-4.
Brady knows Godwin is most likely gone to another team next year. Our Defense also didn’t play up to expectations and got exposed for how many holes we need to fill.
This is it. Mark my words. Brady is done after this season and this playoff run.
He’s not going to come back for a “rebuilding” team that has many holes that need to be filled. He doesn’t want to finish his career at 9-7 and possibly missing the playoffs.
BOOK IT: THIS IS IT FOR BRADY. ENJOY IT BEFORE IT’S OVER.
January 15th, 2022 at 9:54 pm
You guys above were discussing most dumbest comments of the year. Be sure to add this clown above me to the list.
He just said the BUCS are a rebuilding team. Pretty sure we got a new frontrunner. Hahahahaha.
January 15th, 2022 at 9:59 pm
Brady is going for the ultimate goat record.
back to back super bowls with 2 different teams.
but I’m not sure there’s somebody who achieved this yet
January 15th, 2022 at 10:00 pm
Not looking to start a woke debate or anything, but Tomlin is now the only black head coach in the NFL. If Bowles, Leftwich, or Bieniemy isn’t hired by someone, the media and the social justice activists are going to go insane.
January 15th, 2022 at 10:10 pm
BucsChamp maybe Charles Haley did it?
Certainly Tom would be the only QB. The only other QB i can think of that won rings for 2 teams is Manning. Are they the only 2?
January 15th, 2022 at 10:16 pm
I will be thrilled if the best coach in our history comes back for another year or two.
January 15th, 2022 at 10:56 pm
Jerry
It ain’t about being woke the truth is the truth bro !!
January 15th, 2022 at 11:06 pm
I don’t think TB and AB are tied at the hip. I disagree. After the season is over, i.e. after we have won another Lombardi I will interested in an in-dpth article. It will be fun to know what you think. Right now I have other things on my mind.
Go Bucs. Tar-feather the Eagles.
January 15th, 2022 at 11:49 pm
This string has melted the polar icecaps, for total cumulative moronity.
Brady doesn;t like BA because the team is too undisciplined?
McDaniels over BA??????
Antonio Brown incident (his gazillionth in a gazillion chances)??????????????
13-4 with all the injuries……and don’t automatically assume Godwin is gone. Watch the lads band together and work with Jason Licht to see that he stays. He’s more important than Suh + JPP and let’s see the magic a good playoff run could bring.
Of course lose to the Beagles and all bets are off.
January 16th, 2022 at 12:42 am
After being one of the worst teams in sports history for years, It would be nice to get a chance at 1 more double digit win seasons and hopefully NFCS crown back to back before the clock strikes 12 and it all goes back to dung!
January 16th, 2022 at 1:18 am
I love it when people make predictions about players’ and coaches’ future intentions without anything to support it. It’s just empty speculation.
Brady has been known to say he wants to play until he’s 45, which is next season, and has even remarked that he thinks he could play until he’s 50. There’s no reason to believe that’s changed. BA has often spoken about how much fun he’s been having, his health has been decent, and he expects to continue coaching. Unless someone’s got good information to contradict what the QB and HC say, I’m sticking with that. It’s been a tough year with all the injuries and inconsistent play, but somehow they still managed 13-4. I don’t see a major shakeup, but I guess winning the Superbowl again might have some people rethinking. We’ll see…
Regardless, they’re gonna need an injection of youth and energy at a few positions, so there will be more personnel turnover this offseason than there was last year, that is for sure.
January 16th, 2022 at 5:30 am
If the Bucs win all this year, the Bucs will lose both coaches. If they don’t win the SB, I don’t think some teams hire them. The performances of the Bucs are inconsistent and teams may be reluctant after all coaches of TM have been fired.
January 16th, 2022 at 6:31 am
JimmyJack … All’s good. Salary CAP is ‘the great equalizer’ in the NFL, but there are many ways to skin the cat as they say. Obviously restructuring contracts has become of gaining space in any given year, but it does … eventually … come at a cost. At some point (anybody’s guess where?) restructuring just doesn’t make sense because of the age of the player.
Mike Evans MIGHT be a good example for the Bucs. He’s restructured his contract I don’t know how many times to create CAP space. And it’s worked very well. But what started off in 2018 being a $82.5 mil 5-year contract ($16.5 mil average per year) now extends well beyond 2022 in terms of cost (we still owe ME13 money from previous years whether he’s playing for the Bucs or not). Same with Tom Brady & a number of others BTW.
The 2021 Saints are a classic example of what COULD happen using that type of approach. Their adjusted CAP this year (2021) was $185.5 mil. All their contracts totaled only $107.7 mil. Their IR expenses totaled $17.7 mil & their Reserve/PUP expenses were $10.1 mil. But their Dead money was $49.1 mil (what they’d deferred), bringing their salary CAP to $185.2 mil. They squeezed under IOW. Of that Dead money, Drew Brees (retired) got $11.1 mil, Sheldon Rankins (Jets) got $4.0 mil … etc, etc. And in 2022, the Saints will still owe Drew Brees another $11.5 mil. And oh ya, he’ll still be retired. Fun game … until it comes time to pay the piper.
January 16th, 2022 at 7:23 am
Oneilbucyall & Jerry, why is everything always black versus white? There are only a handful of positions open and there are.far more white coaches interviewing getting turned down than black. Flores wanted more than the organization was willing to give and didn’t get along with management. He is a great coach and will get hired elsewhere. Did you realize the receivers and running backs in the league are 87% black? Should white fans be bitching about that? 32 positions total, give it a rest!
January 16th, 2022 at 9:46 am
Listnfrmafar, it’s called racism. They apparently don’t have the ability to see it any other way.
January 16th, 2022 at 11:45 am
It’s really not, the country has heard the black community and the majority get it and are compationate and promote the abolishing of racism. But those who choose not to are set in their ways and they are the minority. If a owner or organization is racist why would any minority want to work in that environment? All I’m saying is don’t use racism as an excuse.for everything, express your feelings when it’s a proven fact to be applicable or else it starts to fall on death ears. Oneilbucyall, we all know you dislike the fact that Brady took Jamaises job, but race had nothing to do with that and you just can’t seem to get past that. Brady is just better actually the best, try viewing it this way ya Jamais was replaced but at least he was replaced by the best QB that has ever played the game.
January 16th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
JimmyJack,
LOL. Just because you don’t actually understand the NFL and how expiring contracts work.
The Bucs WILL BE in “rebuilding” mode next season for many critical positions. Our secondary is one of the WORST in the NFL. If the Bucs resign Davis with a big contract it will be one of the worst signings ever. Our entire secondary needs to be rebuilt. We also don’t have a replacement for JPP as Tryon has been a disappointment so far.