Bucs Nation
It won’t be easy to replace Coen's play calling proficiency.
“Well, it’s Groundhog Day….again.”
Beyond being a seasonally appropriate nod, it’s now unfortunately become quite relevant to the Buccaneers and offensive coordinator searches.
For the third consecutive off-season, the Bucs will be coach shopping (and I will be writing about it) after Thursday’s shocking turn of events saw Liam Coen renege on his verbal extension agreement with the Bucs in favor of the Jaguars’ head coaching job. The coordinator of a consensus top-5 offense will be gone after a single season, and head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht will be tasked with replacing him like they replaced Dave Canales this time last year.
So, who might Coen’s replacement be? We can run through some possible names to look out for as the Bucs will likely seek to fill this void quickly – the Bucs replaced Canales with Coen in just over a week.
This one is easily the top in-house candidate.
The team’s incumbent pass game coordinator and third-down specialist, the 34-year-old Grizzard is an impressive coach who lasted through multiple regimes with the Miami Dolphins as an assistant before getting his expanded opportunity with Tampa.
The Bucs excelled on third down throughout the season, logging an NFL-best 51.1% clip in those situations. Hailing from Yale, he’s been praised by Coen and others for his intellect and approach to offense.
He’s young and unfamiliar with playcalling, but that hasn’t really dissuaded Bucs brass with Canales and Coen, neither of whom called plays at the NFL level prior to being hired.
Promoting Grizzard would also likely cement keeping several assistants on board, like offensive line coach Kevin Carberry, tight ends coach Justin Peele, and receiver coach Bryan McClendon.
Any hire is risky and likely going to result in a regression, so the high-upside play is hardly a bad move here.
Another in-house candidate, Lewis has lasted through three separate offensive coordinators now.
The former NFL QB turned QB coach impressed both Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles, hence his extended stay and eventual promotion from assistant receivers coach. Bowles was very complimentary upon Lewis’s promotion a couple years ago.
“He is very quarterback friendly,” Bowles said. “I think the world of Thad. I think he will be an offensive coordinator in light [speed] from now. I think it’s a good move for him and I am excited to see it.”
Lewis has assisted Baker Mayfield with reviving his NFL career the last two years, which is certainly a prominent feather in his cap. He took interviews with the Raiders, Bengals, Titans and Bills last off-season, so he has been getting some attention.
Again, no playcalling experience, but the benefits of giving him a shake cover most of the same bases as Grizzard. It would just come down to a matter of whom Licht and Bowles find themselves most impressed by.
Yes, outside candidates will absolutely find their way to One...
