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Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles set to interview with Eagles: report

But head coach Bruce Arians says he doesn’t expect Bowles to be distracted from his game preparation.
 
Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is expected to juggle game preparation with job interviews this week.
Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is expected to juggle game preparation with job interviews this week. [ Buccaneers.com ]
Published Jan. 12, 2021|Updated Jan. 12, 2021

Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is expected to juggle game preparation with job interviews this week.

And the interviews are increasing.

ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio reported Tuesday the Eagles have requested permission to interview Bowles after the Bucs’ divisional playoff game Sunday against the Saints. A New Jersey native, Bowles played collegiately in Philadelphia (at Temple) and coached the Eagles secondary for Andy Reid in 2012.

The Eagles fired Doug Pederson — who led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title three seasons ago — on Tuesday. Bowles already has interviewed for the Falcons coaching job and reportedly will interview with the Lions on Friday.

Related: Note to Bucs: playoff history proves third time can be a charm

Bucs coach Bruce Arians said Bowles’ interviews won’t disrupt his preparation for the Saints, who won both regular-season meetings against Tampa Bay. The Bucs are coming off a dreadful defensive performance in Saturday’s 31-23 win at Washington, where one-time practice-squad quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for 306 yards in his second NFL start.

“No (disruption), especially with an extra day,” Arians said Monday. “He’ll get (the interviews) out of the way. Todd’s a pro, man, he knows how to get his team ready and do whatever he needs to do.”