Arians: No plans to retire before contract ends in 2023
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians erased any doubt about his immediate future after winning Super Bowl LV, telling fans at the championship parade that he's "going for two."
Not only is Arians locked in for the 2021 campaign, but the 68-year-old intends to at least fulfill his contract, which expires after the 2023 season.
"Oh yeah, that's the plan. I don't have any plans on retiring," Arians told the "Pewter Report Podcast" Tuesday. "It's just, when do I not want to go back to work? When I'm not excited about going back to work, then I'm cheating somebody. I'm cheating the Glazer family, I'm cheating my players. Right now, I can't wait to get back to work. I don't know when that's going to happen, but no, I'm not tied to any players."
Many have speculated that Arians' future is connected to Tom Brady. The star quarterback inked a one-year extension through 2022 this offseason and has teased playing beyond that deal.
Even if Brady opts to walk after next season, Arians is open to leading the next era in Tampa Bay.
"I could get extremely excited about having another young quarterback and going to war with one," Arians said. "I'll be honest with you. I'd be excited to take Blaine Gabbert to war because I love Blaine Gabbert. I think he is the most underrated player in the NFL. So yeah, when it's not fun, then it will be time."
Arians initially retired following the 2017 season when he was coaching the Arizona Cardinals due, in part, to medical concerns. The two-time Coach of the Year has battled cancer three times.
However, Arians said he's currently in good health.
"Everything's great. I lost all that weight during the season but just gained it all back," Arians said. "I have to lose it again, but other than that, I got a good, clean bill of health, man. I'm still a C-plus. I'm good."
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