Six years after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title and calling it quits a year later, Bruce Arians is ready to make a return to coaching.
In an interview with NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Arians said he had some health issues before handing the reins of the Bucs to Todd Bowles after the 2021 season. "Now that I'm all healthy again, I got the itch again. So we'll see," Arians said
.If Arians plans to return as a head coach, there won't likely be a shortage of teams interested in interviewing him. Arians was 80-48-1 over eight seasons with the Cardinals and Bucs, and 6-3 in four playoff appearances. That doesn't include his 9-3 record as Colts interim coach in 2012.
However, at 74 years old, Arians wouldn't likely be interested
in a rebuild project. The best landing spot would be a team with an established quarterback the offensive-minded Arians can help push over the top. Here's the list.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts isn't perfect but if he can return to good health next season he's a Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback who's led his team to the big game twice. With a head coach who offers more input on the offense than Nick Sirianni, Hurts might become a more consistent regular-season performer.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills would be higher on this list if they weren't playing so well under first-year coach Joe Brady. But if they falter down the stretch of this season or suffer another embarrassing playoff defeat, are we sure he survives again -- considering he was a part of the last regime? If not, Arians would love to get his hands on Josh Allen.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert has been bad this year, but I don't think we can write him off as used good until we see how he performs with another coach in a offensive system that fits him better. Maybe Arians is that coach. He should at least get a shot to pitch his services, because I don't see how Jim Harbaugh or Mike McDaniel survive this year.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs make this list off familiarity, though I'm not sure Arians would invite replacing the man he handpicked to succeed him Tampa. But if the Bucs ever reach a point where they want to fire Bowles regardless of what Arians does, perhaps he'd consider it. It'd be funny if he decided to bring Bowles back as the DC.
2. Washington Commanders
We already know what Jayden Daniels is capable of with good health and all things pulling in the same direction in Washington. With Dan Quinn shouldering much of the blame for how things have fallen apart since that magical run two years ago, this job may soon open up for someone like Arians to take a shot at bringing order to the Commanders.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
It's a wonder Zac Taylor has lasted this long in Cincinnati, but with the team's offense looking as unstoppable as ever, this might be his last chance to prove he can win with the core of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If he can't get it done, the Bengals would be the perfect landing spot for Arians.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 6 Bruce Arians landing spots after Super Bowl-winning coach teases return
