phew.
If you need a moment to catch your breath, that’s understandable because the past 24 hours have been quite a whirlwind.
Imagine how Bucs head coach Todd Bowles feels.
Heading into this offseason, Bowles had the challenge of addressing the defense on the player personnel side as the team has to add an influx of talent this offseason. With the news that Kacy Rodgers is headed to the Lions to become defensive line coach and Larry Foote may be heading with him to become Detroit’s defensive coordinator, Bowles will have to make a defensive coaching change.
That’s not even mentioning offensive coordinator Liam Cohen teeth He leaves the team to become the Jaguars’ head coach. In a surprising turn of events Thursday night.
What does this mean for reps?
Todd Bowles is taking part in his biggest challenge yet.
Another year, another OC search for Bucs HC Todd Bowles
Bucs HC Todd Bowles, OC Liam Coen – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
For a day or so, all seemed calm at sea with the news that Liam Coen was staying in Tampa Bay as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. After Cohen turned down the Jaguars’ head coaching job, it meant Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Richt didn’t have to search for an offensive coordinator for the third consecutive year.
So much for that.
Jacksonville subsequently fired general manager Trent Balke and intensified its pursuit of a young offensive player. While it stings, Bowles and Richt don’t have time to sit back and reflect on what happened. Instead, they will have to put together another list of offensive coordinator candidates again.
While this is far from the desired outcome, it does make for an attractive position that has quickly turned into a head coaching pipeline in recent seasons, with Dave Canales and now Dave Canales and Cohen landing gigs. . There is no shortage As the Pewter Report has already reported, potential candidates are. Still, the search for another offensive coordinator hasn’t been easy, and they’ve been long processes each of the past two years, with BUCS interviewing many people before deciding on someone.
The offense was a bright spot for the team last season. Now, the biggest challenge is for Bowles to find yet another candidate who can do something similar with the unit.
That side of the football has a top 10 quarterback in Baker Mayfield, so there’s a lot of talent on that side of the football. [and likely] Still young and improving with a top-five offensive line anchored by Chris Godwin and All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. That makes it easier, but there’s more pressure on the head coach to find the top offensive minds while also dealing with the defensive coaching staff.
Todd Bowles could be forced to overhaul his defensive coaching staff
News of the Bucs losing co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers was quickly amplified by the follow-up to the same team potentially having co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote next door.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles & Co-DC Larry Foote – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Losing Liam Cohen hurts, but it’s another challenge for Bowles to see his top two defensive assistants and best friends potentially leave from under him to the NFC juggernaut Lions . In addition to finding the next offensive guru, he now needs to do the same on defense. The rest of the defensive coaching staff is a group of veteran coaches who led a dominant position room.
Rodgers was the brightest spot as he coached a stout defensive line room in run defense and possessed three of the team’s top four football players in Kariya Kanthi, Vittavere, and Logan Hall. Foote is the passing game coordinator and interior linebackers coach, and while those areas have struggled, he is still considered a bright and confident defensive coach at just 44 years old.
Now, what does Bowles do?
Matt Matera and I discussed some of the veteran defensive coach’s options one of the pewter reports three thursday podcast.
Will he hand over the reins of defensive play-calling and hire only one defensive coordinator?
Can Foote stick around and become that defensive coordinator?
Will Bowles implement a similar system so he’s just in place, or will he clear the deck of all his remaining defensive assistants and bring in a young defensive mind?
All of these options are on the table, but the clock is ticking. The news that his top defensive assistant coach has left Exodus will make his job much more difficult and he may need to hire a secretary to schedule all future interviews. yeah.
Bucs defense also needs to improve and coach
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and LB Lavonte David – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Todd Bowles currently has to fill in key coaching positions on offense and defense, but he also has the task of revamping and coaching incoming player personnel. Bowles’ defense was the weak link in BUCS last season and it has needs.
At the very least, the unit could use two starting caliber interior linebackers, a cornerback, and a safety. The only interior linebacker who is a lock next year is Sirvocea Dennis, who has struggled to stay on the field. Whether or not cornerback Jamel Dean returns, the position needs to add a young playmaker with eyes (and hands) for the football. At safety, the group could use someone to take over for Jordan Whitehead and provide young depth.
These positions will need to add young talent because they can’t rely on team players who practiced during the playoff push like they did this past season. Bowles needs to identify a suitable fit in free agency; 2025 NFL Draft For his system, and for the players who stick around, he needs to add a coach who can get the best out of them and keep an eye on their progress.
Todd Bowles is a person who wakes up early in the morning, but may have restless nights ahead of him until he figures out how to solve all the tasks that are quickly added to him. This offseason will be make or break for him and the team if he wants to show enough progress to remain the head coach in the coming years.
