Following Tom Brady’s announcement in February that he was retiring, this is the Bucs’ second huge retirement announcement this offseason. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner, returned 40 days later, announcing his comeback for a 23rd season and stating that he had “unfinished business.”

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Brady, on the other hand, will be playing for Todd Bowles, who was promoted to succeed Arians as the head coach.

Arians, a two-time cancer survivor, stood down as coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 due to medical concerns, only to be rehired by the Buccaneers two years later. This time, he added, he’s feeling better than he has in “many years” and is looking forward to working with general manager Jason Licht in the front office.

“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,” Arians said in a statement.

“I want to focus on what I can give back to this incredible game that has provided so much for me and my family,” Arians said. “I really began thinking about my personal transition plan earlier this offseason. I wanted to make certain that Todd Bowles had the best chance of succeeding when I left.”

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Arians, who will age 70 this season, led the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl triumph in 2020, which was Brady’s first with the team. Arians was 31-18 in three seasons with the Buccaneers, and he was 80-48-1 overall in eight years as a head coach, including five seasons with the Cardinals from 2013 to 2017.

NBC Sports and the Los Angeles Times were the first to report Arians’ decision and Bowles’ replacement.

“I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another,” Arians stated “. “I love football. I love the relationships, the strategy, the competition — everything. It has been one hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time for me to make this transition.”

Bowles joins Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh, Houston’s Lovie Smith, and Miami’s Mike McDaniel as the NFL’s sixth minority head coach. He also joins Tony Dungy, Raheem Morris, and Smith as the Bucs’ fourth Black coach.

Brady claimed Arians was a big part of his decision to play for Tampa Bay and that he’ll be “forever grateful” in an Instagram post on Wednesday night.

“You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you,” Wrote Brady . “You are a true NFL legend and pioneer for all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive. Smart, tough, and loyal are a few of the words to describe your style. I will always remember the conversations we had when you recruited me two years ago and all of the things we discussed came true.”

There was no public sign of such a shift at the NFL’s annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, on the Atlantic side of the state. Arians was on hand for a brief appearance and spoke with NFL Network about what the team would have done to replace Brady if he hadn’t changed his mind. During the meetings, both Licht and team co-owner Joel Glazer spoke to the media for a short time.

Arians did not participate in a group interview because he was departing for personal reasons, according to the team. He was also one of four coaches at the meetings who declined to participate in the customary group photo of all NFL head coaches.

“I am appreciative of the Glazer family and Jason Licht for having faith in me to take on this role, and to Coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” Bowles stated “. “Tampa has become home for my family, and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. … I am eager to get started with our players, coaching staff, and front office in preparation for the 2022 season.”

For a time during Arians’ career with the Cardinals, Bowles served as the team’s defensive coordinator. After the Jets fired Bowles following the 2018 season, he reconnected with his old boss in Tampa Bay.