Adam Schefter reports that the NFL initially told the Buccaneers that no compensation was needed to hire Bruce Arians, but the Cardinals made a late argument to NFL that they held Arians’ rights.
The two parties ultimately agreed to a trade that will send the rights to Arians and a 2019 seventh-round pick to the Buccaneers for a 2019 sixth-round pick.
A previous report mentioned that the Cardinals wouldn’t get any compensation from the Buccaneers for hiring Arians because his 2019 team option was declined by Arizona. However, it appears as though that wasn’t actually the case.
This is the first trade involving the rights to a head coach in several years.
Arians, 66, was hired by the Cardinals back in 2013 after he filled in for Colts HC Chuck Pagano while he was fighting cancer and managed to win Coach of the Year.
Arians made the decision to retire from coaching last season and spent the year as an analyst for CBS.
During his five years with the Cardinals, Arians led them to a record of 49-30-1 (61.9 percent), which includes two playoff appearances and a trip to the NFC Championship game in 2015.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
