Former NFL coach Bruce Arians to have open-heart surgery

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st February, 11:52 2026

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior football consultant Bruce Arians reacts with quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Dallas Cowboys during a wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians announced on the "Today" show that he will undergo open-heart surgery on Friday in Philadelphia.

Arians, 73, made the announcement while appearing on the show this week to promote an upcoming prostate cancer screening Super Bowl commercial with tight end Rob Gronkowski. Arians had prostate cancer in 2007.

A two-time Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year, Arians guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship during the 2020 season. He posted a 31-18 record during his three seasons with the Buccaneers (2019-21) before stepping down for health reasons. He serves as a front office consultant for the team in an unofficial role.

Arians also went 49-30-1 during his five seasons as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2013-17).

He also won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the team's wide receivers coach in Super Bowl XL and its offensive coordinator in Super Bowl XLIII.

--Field Level Media

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