Todd Bowles will indeed be the new defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers.

The former Jets head coach, who was fired after the season, worked out a deal to finalize his move with the team announcing the hiring on Wednesday.

Bowles reunites with Bruce Arians -- whom he was defensive coordinator for two years with the Arizona Cardinals before accepting the Jets head coaching job.

There were reports earlier on Wednesday that suggested Bowles may spurn Tampa to take the newly vacant defensive coordinator position with the Chicago Bears after Vic Fangio accepted a head coaching position with the Broncos.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that Bowles and Bears head coach Matt Nagy, whose father coached Bowles in high school, had "spoken multiple times" about bringing Bowles onto the staff.

Yet Bowles ultimately worked out the offset language with the Bucs and finalized his contract to join Arians, who said on The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday that Bowles is "like a son" to him.

"He's another one that's like a son to me," Arians said. "I was more talking to him about his future. We all get fired. I've been fired so many times I can't count them all. Then it led to this. He thought hard about it. I was doing my best sell job and this happened. We're really excited to be back together."

Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers is also reportedly expected to follow Bowles to Tampa.

Bowles will inherit a Bucs defense that finished 31st in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed last season.

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