Steelers former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' retirement wasn't exactly seen as legitimate.
In his first comments since he parted ways with the Steelers last week, he suggested retirement was his decision, but only after the Steelers informed him he would not be receiving a contract offer.
Arians says all of this in an interview with Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record.
According to Bodani:
Arians put it this way: While he maintains he had considered retiring before, "when I wasn't offered a contract, it was an easy decision for me."
The Steelers simply did not want him to return for a sixth season running the offense.
And Rooney didn't give him a reason why.
"I can't answer that question. Only the people there can. That's the business. I know the job we did as a staff. I don't have any regrets."
Certainly, readers and participants of this site could give Arians a few reasons why the Steelers may not want to bring him back. It seems strange Arians needs one, though. Art Rooney II made it clear after the 2009 season, he wanted the team to return to a stronger emphasis on the running game. In 2010, the Steelers moved up to 11th in the league in rushing yardage, from 19th in 2009. They finished 14th this season, and averaged 4.4 yards per carry.
Struggles in the red zone accentuated more of the Steelers' problems on the offensive side of the ball. They averaged 20.3 yards per game, more than just one other playoff team - Denver, the team that beat them 29-23 in the playoffs.
Arians threw some compliments at head coach Mike Tomlin, so perhaps his comment in regards to who made the decision is aimed at Steelers chairman emeritus Dan Rooney, Steelers president Art Rooney II and general manager Kevin Colbert.
No word has been reported on who that candidate will be.
The interview went on to discuss Arians relationship with Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, whom Arians said was "upset" with the Steelers' decision to not bring Arians back.
Perhaps the most poignant statement Arians made is that he was contacted about "five or six" coaching jobs since he left the Steelers, but only one of them, apparently, was intriguing.
Maybe a team in the Lingerie League wanted a pass-first coach to direct a team to move the ball inside the 20s.