Phew.
In case you want time to catch your breath, that’s comprehensible because the previous 24 hours have been fairly the whirlwind.
Think about how Bucs head coach Todd Bowles feels.
That’s not even mentioning that offensive coordinator Liam Coen is leaving the crew to grow to be the Jaguars head coach in a surprising flip of occasions Thursday night time.
What does this all imply for the person in cost?
Todd Bowles in for his largest problem but.
One other 12 months, One other OC Search For Bucs HC Todd Bowles
Bucs HC Todd Bowles, OC Liam Coen – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
A lot for that.
Jacksonville then fired normal supervisor Trent Baalke and ramped up its pursuit for the younger offensive playcaller, who went behind the Bucs’ group’s again to satisfy with them and is about to take their head teaching job. Whereas it stings, Bowles and Licht haven’t any time to take a seat and mirror on what has transpired. As a substitute, they might want to begin placing one other checklist collectively of offensive coordinator candidates – once more.
Though that is removed from the specified final result, it will likely be a lovely place that has rapidly was a head teaching pipeline in current seasons with Dave Canales and now Coen each touchdown gigs. There isn’t any scarcity of potential candidates, each internally and externally, as Pewter Report has already reported. Nonetheless, the seek for one other offensive coordinator won’t be straightforward, they usually have been an extended course of every of the final two years with the Bucs interviewing quite a few folks earlier than deciding on somebody.
The offense was the brilliant spot of the crew final season as they put up historic numbers below the steering of Coen. Now, it stands as the most important problem for Bowles to search out yet one more candidate who can do comparable issues with the unit.
There’s loads of expertise on that facet of the soccer with a top-10 quarterback in Baker Mayfield, a run sport constructed round All-Rookie Bucky Irving, vast receivers Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan [and likely] Chris Godwin, in addition to a top-five offensive line anchored by All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs and remains to be younger and enhancing. That makes it simpler, however there’s extra stress on the pinnacle coach to discover a high offensive thoughts, together with addressing the defensive teaching employees, too.
Todd Bowles Might Be Compelled To Overhaul The Defensive Teaching Employees, Too
Bucs HC Todd Bowles & Co-DC Larry Foote – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Dropping Liam Coen hurts, however for Bowles, seeing his high two defensive assistants and greatest buddies doubtlessly go away from below him to the NFC juggernaut Lions is one other problem — and needs to be a wake-up name. Together with discovering the following offensive guru, he must now do the identical on protection. What’s left of the defensive teaching employees is a gaggle of veteran coaches who led underwhelming place rooms.
Rodgers was the brightest spot, as he coached up a defensive position room that was stout in run protection and possessed three of the crew’s high 4 main sackers in Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, and Logan Corridor. Foote was the move sport coordinator and inside linebackers coach, and whereas these areas struggled, he’s nonetheless seen as a brilliant, assured defensive coach who remains to be simply 44 years previous.
Now, what is going to Bowles do?
Matt Matera and I mentioned a few of the veteran defensive coach’s choices on certainly one of Pewter Report’s three podcasts on Thursday.
Would he hand over the defensive playcalling reins and rent only one defensive coordinator?
Might Foote stick round and be that defensive coordinator?
Would Bowles implement an identical system like he simply had in place – or clear the deck of all his remaining defensive assistants and herald youthful defensive minds?
The Bucs Protection Will Additionally Want To Be Improved And Coached Up
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and LB Lavonte David – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Todd Bowles now has to fill out key teaching positions on offense and protection, he additionally has the problem of revamping and training up incoming participant personnel. Bowles’ protection was the weak hyperlink of the Bucs final season, and there are wants throughout it.
At a minimal, the unit might use two starting-caliber inside linebackers, a cornerback, and a security. The one inside linebacker who’s a lock for subsequent yr is SirVocea Dennis, who has struggled to remain on the sphere. Whether or not cornerback Jamel Dean comes again or not, the place wants so as to add a younger playmaker with eyes (and fingers) for the soccer. At security, the group might use somebody to doubtlessly take over for Jordan Whitehead and supply younger depth.
These positions should add younger expertise, as they can’t depend on follow squad gamers filling in throughout a playoff push like they did this previous season. Bowles has to establish the correct suits in free company and the 2025 NFL draft for his system, and for the gamers who’re sticking round, he might want to add coaches who can get probably the most out of them and hold a watchful eye on their progress.
Todd Bowles is somebody who wakes up extraordinarily early within the morning, however he could have some stressed nights forward of him till he figures out how one can resolve all of the challenges he has rapidly been saddled with. This offseason will probably be make-or-break for him and the crew if he desires to point out sufficient progress to stay the pinnacle coach within the coming years.
