It’s been about a month since the Bucks promoted passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard to the role of offensive coordinator. However, on Tuesday it was the first time Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles have spoken publicly since Grizzard’s employment.
Bucs oc Josh Grizzard – Photo by Adam Slivon/PR
Both Licht and Bowles were about the continuity that Grizzard’s promotion offers offense. How excited are Tampa Bay’s offensive players? To see “Griz” or “Wizard” take charge of the attack in 2025.
“We’ve sent a lot of great emojis, memes and GIFs,” Licht said of the players’ reactions to hearing Josh Grizzard’s promotion. “He was a very popular guy in the locker room of all the players. The o-line I got from Faseti Time was in the Bahamas. They all cheered, had drinks and stuff like that. So a lot of excitement.”
Considering his own conversation with the offensive player, Bowles reflected Licht’s feelings.
“They were excited about it,” Bowles said. “I talked to Baker [Mayfield] I told him what we were thinking beforehand. Obviously, I spoke with Tristan. [Wirfs] And those people and everyone was everything for it. They have a great relationship with the “Griz” and they look forward to it. ”
Bucs Brass believes Josh Grizzard is “The Right Guy.”
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Matt Matera/Pr
Todd Bowles certainly isn’t used to conducting searches for offensive coordinators. He now does so for the third day in a row, replacing Byron Leftwich, who was fired for the first time by employing Dave Canales, then replacing Liam Cohen after working as head coaching for the Panthers.
Now it comes to replace Cohen, where Josh Grizzard is now the head coach of the Jaguars.
So, what did the repeated process teach Bowles, especially as he hit the hiring of consecutive coordinators at Canales and Cohen before Grizard’s promotion?
“Number one, I told you not to take a vacation,” Bowles said. “The biggest thing is, at least we know that we’re picking the right person. This was a bit different from the first time, as our system is still this system, our coaches are the same and Grizz is the same for at least a year. So it shouldn’t be a wholesale change. Obviously, there are a few different things.
“But you try to choose the right person. And it’s not the “right person” depending on how clever or good they are, it’s about the right guy. [for] How is your team built and you think your guys can make the most of what they’re coaching. So we’re trying to do a good job of choosing it and making sure we’ve got the right guy like that. I think Griz is that guy. ”
Bucs HC Todd Bowles told him he was in the third OC in the last three years after the previous two had won the HC job:
“Number one, that tells me I don’t take vacations, but it says we’re choosing the right person.” pic.twitter.com/ys6kx4re9k
– PewterReport February 25, 2025
Bucs RB Bucky Irving and Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
The 2025 on-field outcome ultimately determines whether Josh Grizzard is the “right guy” that the Bucks attack needs, but it’s hard to oppose the logic to name his successor.
Tampa Bay was the top five attack last year. Average 29.5 points per game Ranked 4th in the league. The team’s total of 399.5 yards per game was third, with passing yards of 250.4 yards per game. Needless to say, the run game, which was previously 32nd, jumped fourth, averaging 149.2 yards per game on ground.
Grizard was here for its success, and he was part of it. As the man in charge of third down, he led the way as the Bucks led the league in their third conversion percentage. So his series of jobs combined with the continuity factor made him an interesting employment. Licht said the same thing Tuesday.
“Well, we wanted to hire someone from Lizard Rick, North Carolina, and he fitted the bill. No, I’m kidding,” joking Licht. “Josh did a great job all year round. Everyone in the building can see how smart he is and interact with the players. In front of the room he was great. They call him a ‘wizard’. Many players mention it. I’m very excited to see Josh in that role. I know he’s excited to move on. He is going to bring some fresh ideas. That’s always a good thing. ”
What about continuity? It’s not just Josh Grizzard. Licht said it would be huge for them to regain the majority of their offensive staff.
“Well, it was important to have Josh,” Licht said. “It was important to have as many offensive staff as possible. A great coach like Liam. [Coen] That’s right – we all have a lot of respect for him – he was part of it. There are many other parts, including players and coaches. To have that core group with an offensive line coach, tight end coach and receiver coach, I was able to continue with Jordan Summerville and Jeff Castl. We added others to our staff. I felt that continuity was extremely important, especially for players. That’s what they were excited about when jobs were created. ”
Yes, there’s a lot of excitement in the locker room in Tampa Bay. Licht has emojis, memes and GIFs.
