After a series of deliberate interviews and requests to find the next offensive play-caller to replace Dave Canales, the Bucks appear to have found their next offensive play-caller. The Bucks are working on hiring Liam Cohen as offensive coordinator, according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Liam Cohen’s coaching history
Bucks OC Liam Cohen – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Liam Cohen served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Kentucky Wildcats at the college level last season. The year before, he was the Rams’ offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay. In fact, Cohen has bounced back and forth between Kentucky and the Rams in recent years.
He was an assistant coach with the Rams from 2018 to 2020, covering wide receivers and quarterbacks, before going to Kentucky in 2021 to become offensive coordinator. He has been coaching at the college or professional level since 2010 and has a wealth of experience.
Last season as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, his offense ranked in the top 25 in the nation in play-action percentage. Will Levis, who was drafted by the Titans last season, also ranked 19th overall in play-action efficiency. This could work out well for the Bucks heading into next season.
There were a number candidate’s Todd Bowles, Jason Richt and Tampa Bay’s front office considered candidates last season, but several were left to go elsewhere before the team settled on Dave Canales, who has no play-calling experience. decided. For Cohen, he will prove once again that he can be a play-caller at the NFL level, and the Bucs will benefit from knowing he has previous experience as a play-caller. Perhaps just as importantly, Cohen worked with Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield in Los Angeles at the end of the 2022 season, so there is some connection to the pending free agent passer.
What does re-signing Baker Mayfield mean for the Bucks?
Of course, the big question in all of this is what it means for Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield. Liam Cohen served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator late in the 2022 season, helping put his game on a trajectory that would allow him to compete for a starting spot in Tampa Bay last year.

Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Mayfield set a record during his Pro Bowl game. As for the possibility of him returning to Tampa Bay, depending on who the team hires to replace Dave Canales as offensive coordinator. His career was revived by Canales, and Mayfield is now looking for a big payday and a multi-year contract. Cohen’s familiarity could increase the chances of Tampa Bay re-signing Mayfield in free agency.
However, Cohen’s arrival does not automatically guarantee Mayfield will return to the team, and he will likely have other suitors. For now, it’s enough that the Bucs have someone they can move forward with as offensive coordinator. Next, they can fill the wide receiver and offensive line coaching positions.
It took a while, but the Bucs have decided on their next coordinator, hoping to find more success with an unsuspecting candidate.