The Tampa Bay Bucaneers are contenders again for another Super Bowl and Tom Brady is back – but even all of that could not stop head coach Bruce Arians from retiring Wednesday.
Tampa is currently trading as +800 second favorite behind Buffalo to win Super Bowl LVII in Glendale next February, and is widely available as +350 favorite to be the NFC Champion in 2022.
But the Bucs will no longer have Arians as their head coach following Wednesday’s decision, which sees defensive coordinator Todd Bowles replace him on a five-year contract. The 69-year-old Arians, who will remain with the team as a senior football consultant, had an 80-48-1 record as a head coach.
Arians on retirement decision
In a statement he said: “The simple answer is that I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed I could during this incredible coaching journey.
“Winning Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family in attendance, was really the last item I wanted to check off my career bucket list. For me, this is about more than just trying to add more wins to my coaching record.
“This team is in a much better place than it was three years ago due to Jason’s great work and the Glazer family’s commitment to winning. Before you start thinking this is about my health, don’t. This is the best I have felt in many years and I’m looking forward to helping this team continue winning through my new role.”
Arians/Brady rift denied
This whirlwind offseason in Tampa – headlined of course by Brady’s decision to retire and then unretire, has featured speculation about a rift between head coach and his quarterback. Arians has adamantly refuted those rumors, while Brady was full of praise for Bruce after Wednesday’s announcement.#
Brady said on Instagram: “Thank you, BA for all that you have done for me and our team. You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you. You are a true NFL legend and pioneer for all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds
The Bucs, like we said, are strongly fancied to make another Super Bowl run in 2022. We do not expect the Arians retirement to affect those odds in a major way. Current odds are:
- +800 to win Super Bowl LVII (Caesars)
- +350 to win NFC Championship (Widely available)
- -278 to win NFC South (FOX Bet)
- +800 Tom Brady to be NFL MVP (PointsBet)
Bucs 2022 Opponents
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Road: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers