Bruce Arians hasn't roamed an NFL sideline since 2021, but the 74-year-old coaching legend is making it clear he's not done with the game. In a recent interview, Arians revealed he's eager to return to the sidelines, sparking speculation about a potential comeback in 2027.
"Now that I'm all healthy again, I got the itch again," Arians told NFL insider Jordan Schultz. "You miss the players in the locker room. … This is the first time I had the itch again."
The two-time Super Bowl winner (one as a coordinator, one as a head coach) stepped away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2022, handing the reins to his defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles. At the time, Arians emphasized the importance of setting Bowles up for success, saying, "So many head coaches come into situations where they are set up for failure, and I didn't want that for Todd."
Now, with his health back on track, Arians is openly considering a return. When asked by the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud if he'd consider rejoining the Buccaneers, Arians didn't hesitate: "If it were open, yes."
The Buccaneers' coaching situation could indeed open up if the team falters down the stretch. Bowles entered the 2026 season on the hot seat, and a missed playoff berth might prompt a change. But Arians' interest isn't limited to Tampa Bay—he's hinted that the itch is general, not specific to any franchise.
Arians' coaching resume is impressive: after stints with the Chiefs, Saints, Colts, Browns, and Steelers, he led the Arizona Cardinals to 49 wins and an NFC Championship Game appearance. He then took over the Buccaneers and guided them to a Super Bowl title in the 2020 season, thanks in part to a certain quarterback named Tom Brady.
His potential return would add another chapter to a career that's already full of them. As the NFL landscape shifts, teams looking for a proven leader might find Arians' experience and fire irresistible. Whether he lands in Tampa or elsewhere, one thing is certain: the locker room he misses could soon have him back in it.
For now, Arians is content to let the speculation simmer, but his words carry weight. "I want to focus on what I can give back to this incredible game that has provided so much for me and my family," he said when he stepped down. It seems that giving back might just mean coaching again.
As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Buccaneers' performance and whether they'll make a change. If they do, Arians might just be the man to answer the call.
