Buccaneers interview Arians for head coaching job

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers interviewed former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians on Saturday for the team's head coaching position, the team announced.

Despite Arians previously saying the Cleveland Browns' job would be the only one that could draw him out of retirement, the Buccaneers' opening has evidently piqued his interest.

Tampa Bay would not need to provide any compensation to Arizona if it hires the reported front-runner due to the Cardinals declining Arians' 2019 team option, sources told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

The former head coach has loose ties with the Buccaneers' front office. General manager Jason Licht served as the vice president of player personnel during Arians' 2013 season with the Cardinals. Arians is also familiar with Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston from his football camps in Alabama, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

After firing head coach Dirk Koetter on Dec. 30, Tampa Bay has eyed a slew of potential replacements, including Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and Dallas Cowboys defensive back coach Kris Richard.

Arians accumulated a 49-30 record as Cardinals head coach from 2013 to 2017.

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