The NFL may close a loophole in the Rooney Rule related to late coaching changes, according to a source.

When Bruce Arians stepped down as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, it marked the first time since the Rooney Rule was passed that a coaching vacancy was created after March 1.

The development exposed a loophole that could be exploited by a team looking to hire a coach without having to interview at least two external minority candidates.

The NFL permitted the Buccaneers to promote defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as the head coach, without interviewing at any external minority candidates.