Buccaneers Interview Bruce Arians
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.
Buccaneers Eyeing Bruce Arians For Head Coach
The Buccaneers seem to have an eye on one particular target for their head coaching vacancy. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), Tampa Bay has “real interest” in former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians. Rapoport notes that the interest is mutual, and the two sides could meet soon. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero echoes that sentiment, noting that there’s been “a sense in the building” that Arians would ultimately get the job.
After serving as the Cardinals head coach for five seasons, Arians retired from the job last offseason. The 66-year-old was relatively successful during his tenure in Arizona, leading the Cardinals to 49-30-1 record and a pair of playoff appearances (including an appearance in the 2015 NFC Championship Game).
Arians was hired as an analyst by CBS back in May, but there have been continued whispers that he could seek another NFL gig. The coach was reportedly pushing for the Browns head coaching job, but Arians said in December that he wasn’t expecting to land the position. The head coach also recently said that it’s probably a “99-to-1” chance that he’ll be back on the sidelines in 2019.
As our Head Coaching Tracker shows, the Buccaneers have interviewed or will interview three candidates: Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, and Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/3/19
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2019 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Baltimore Ravens
- LB Ejuan Price
- LB Matthew Thomas
Detroit Lions
Pittsburgh Steelers
- QB Brogan Roback
- WR Ka’Raun White
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Hunter Dimick
- LB Corey Nelson
Washington Redskins
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/2/19
Here are Wednesday’s reserve/futures contract moves:
Cleveland Browns
- DL Daniel Ekuale
- DL Devaroe Lawrence
- OL Kyle Friend
- DB Robert Jackson
- RB Devante Mays
- DB Lenzy Pipkins
- DB Tigie Sankoh*
- OL Brad Seaton
- WR Daniel Williams
Cincinnati Bengals
- DT Andrew Brown
Denver Broncos
- WR Fred Brown
- QB Garrett Grayson
- WR Chad Hansen
- LB Alexander Johnson
- OL Andreas Knappe
- DE Cashaud Lyons
- RB Khalfani Muhammad
- G Austin Schlottmann
- CB Linden Stephens
- S Shamarko Thomas
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
- WR Jeff Badet
- T Adam Bisnowaty
- LB Reshard Cliett
- DT Curtis Cothran
- C Cornelius Edison
- TE Cole Hikutini
- CB Jalen Myrick
- T Storm Norton
- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
- RB Roc Thomas
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- QB Joe Callahan
- P Hayden Hunt
- LS Zach Triner
Tennessee Titans
- DL Dee Liner
Washington Redskins
- WR Tre McBride
* = part of the NFL’s International Player Development Program
Breer: Bucs Will Win Le'Veon Bell Derby
- Although the Jets are believed to be ready to make a run at Le’Veon Bell, Albert Breer of SI.com does not see that pursuit winning out. Instead, Breer said during an interview with Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd (via the Tampa Bay Times) the Buccaneers are his best guess as to who will be signing the running back’s checks in 2019. This would be interesting because of the Jets’ cap-space advantage ($106MM-plus to $17MM-plus, though the Bucs can clear a substantial amount of room without incurring dead money) and the fact Tampa Bay used a 2018 second-round pick on Ronald Jones.
- Dirk Koetter‘s interview for his old job as Falcons offensive coordinator will occur Saturday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports. The Falcons’ OC from 2012-14, Koetter is a free agent again after being fired by the Buccaneers. He may well be the leading candidate to succeed Steve Sarkisian running Atlanta’s offense. Matt Ryan has praised Koetter in the recent past. Mike Mularkey, Atlanta’s OC from 2008-11, and Darrell Bevell are the other known candidates.
- Although the Jets are believed to be ready to make a run at Le’Veon Bell, Albert Breer of SI.com does not see that pursuit winning out. Instead, Breer said during an interview with Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd (via the Tampa Bay Times) the Buccaneers are his best guess as to who will be signing the running back’s checks in 2019. This would be interesting because of the Jets’ cap-space advantage ($106MM-plus to $17MM-plus, though the Bucs can clear a substantial amount of room without incurring dead money) and the fact Tampa Bay used a 2018 second-round pick on Ronald Jones.
Buccaneers To Meet With Kris Richard
At least one team has scheduled a meeting with Cowboys defensive backs coach Kris Richard. The Buccaneers have planned an interview with Richard, according to the NFL network (via the Tampa Bay Times).
Teams are not allowed to meet with assistants whose teams are preparing for first-round games, but the Bucs have scheduled a summit with Richard for after the Cowboys’ wild-card game.
Both the Dolphins and Jets submitted interview requests to Richard, but it’s not known if any meetings are scheduled yet. The Bucs interviewed Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy in Kansas City on Wednesday.
Richard, 39, was viewed as a possible HC candidate last year. He oversaw the 2015 Seahawks’ No. 1 scoring defense and was the Legion of Boom’s position coach the previous three seasons, which also featured Seattle housing No. 1 scoring defenses. The Seahawks fired Richard after the 2017 campaign, leading him to Dallas.
Richard took over play-calling duties from Dallas DC Rod Marinelli this season. The Cowboys’ defense improved slightly, ranking sixth in points allowed. Tampa Bay’s defense struggled again, allowing the second-most points in the league.
Eric Bieniemy Declines Cardinals Interview
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy declined an opportunity to interview with the Cardinals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’s set to interview with the Jets and Buccaneers on Wednesday, the Dolphins on Thursday, and the Bengals on Friday, so he has a full plate as he also gets set for the Chiefs’ Divisional Round game on Jan. 12. 
Bieniemy has been a popular candidate early in this cycle and it seems awful likely that he’ll land a job behind the strength of the Chiefs’ offense and Andy Reid‘s strong recommendation.
In 2017, the Chiefs ranked fifth in total offense under Matt Nagy’s command. Bieniemy had big shoes to fill as he took over for him but Patrick Mahomes & Co. exceeded all expectations. The Chiefs finished first in total offense in 2018 by averaging an eye-popping 425.6 yards per game.
Bieniemy, who enjoyed a nine-year playing career before entering the coaching ranks, has been with Kansas City since 2013. Prior to that, the 45-year-old served as the offensive coordinator at Colorado, so he has call-playing experience despite the fact that Reid is hands-on with his team.
Buccaneers To Interview George Edwards
- The Buccaneers will have a chance to interview Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards. The parties will meet Thursday for a head coach meeting, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Thus far on the coaching carousel, Edwards — the Vikings’ DC for the past five seasons and formerly the Bills’ and Redskins’ DC — has only been connected to Tampa Bay’s vacancy.
Brian Flores To Meet With Browns, Broncos, Dolphins, Packers
The latest Patriots playoff bye week will bring quite the workload for linebackers coach Brian Flores.
While he is still arranging his schedule, he has agreed to meet with the Browns, Broncos, Dolphins and Packers about their head coaching vacancies, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports (on Twitter). These interviews will occur this weekend.
After previously omitting the Broncos, who requested a meeting with Flores, La Canfora reports they will meet with the aspiring head coach. The Bucs, though, are not set to meet with the Patriot assistant this week, JLC tweets.
These four teams requested summits with Flores, and he will oblige. Flores has become a far more attractive candidate than he was a year ago, when the Cardinals met with him about their HC opening. Arizona again has an opening, but the team has not as of yet requested another audience with New England’s 37-year-old de facto defensive coordinator.
The Patriots turned to Flores as their top defensive assistant following Matt Patricia‘s defection to Detroit.
New England’s first post-Patricia defense has been the team’s typical bend-but-don’t-break unit, ranking 21st in yards allowed but seventh in scoring. The Pats have only had one non-top-10 scoring defense in the past 13 seasons; Flores has been a part of their past eight defensive coaching staffs.
Bucs Rumors: Winston, McCoy, Monken
Here’s the latest out of Tampa:
- The Buccaneers say they’re looking for a new head coach, but not looking for a new starting quarterback. “Jameis Winston will be here. We have him under contract for a year,” GM Jason Licht said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “He has done some amazing things for a young 24, turns 25 in a week, quarterback. He’s accomplished more than most of the elite quarterbacks have at his age throughout that time span. There’s a lot to like about Jameis. Jameis will be here next year.” The Bucs picked up the fifth year option on Winston’s contract, which should keep him in place for another season at a rate of $20.92MM. Of course, the option is guaranteed for injury only, so the Buccaneers could theoretically get out of the deal.
- Licht cannot guarantee that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will be back with the team in 2019 (Twitter link via Stroud). “We have a lot of tough decisions to make,” Licht said. Thanks to the seven-year, $95.2MM contract extension he signed with the Bucs in 2014, McCoy is slated to be back with the team in 2019 at a $13MM cap number. However, it is a non-guaranteed deal. Despite Tampa Bay’s problems on defense and McCoy’s injury trouble, he still turned in a decent year for the Bucs. McCoy graded out as the No. 27 ranked defensive tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
- Licht says the Buccaneers will not consider in-house candidates for the head coaching job, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. That automatically rules out offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who may be up for the Jets job.