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About the Author: Bailey Adams
Latest Bucs Headlines
The Bucs may have a new candidate for their vacant offensive coordinator job. On Sunday night, news emerged that the Cowboys and Kellen Moore have mutually agreed to part ways, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has already reported that Tampa Bay will have “significant interest” in the young play-caller.
The #Bucs are expected to have significant interest in Kellen Moore as an OC. https://t.co/TKdytKadRD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 29, 2023
Moore, who turns just 35 years old in July, has been considered a rising star in the coaching profession. Just last offseason, Pro Football Focus’ Eric Eager ranked Moore as the No. 2 play caller in the entire NFL behind Kansas City’s Andy Reid. In all fairness, that same list had Byron Leftwich right behind him at No. 3, and he was just fired after the Bucs scored just 18.4 points per game in 2022.
Former Cowboys OC Kellen Moore – Photo by: USA Today
But as Tom Pelissero noted in his initial report, Moore is bound to draw a lot of interest from teams in need of a new offensive coordinator. In fact, he is already set to speak with the Chargers about their vacant position.
The Cowboys averaged 27.1 points per game (No. 6 in the NFL) in 2019, Moore’s first year as the team’s offensive coordinator. They then dipped down to 24.7 points per game (No. 17) in 2020 before leading the league – ahead of the Bucs – with 31.2 points per game in 2021. Dallas was No. 4 in scoring offense this year, putting up 27.5 points per game, but quarterback Dak Prescott did take a step back, struggling with turnovers while throwing 15 interceptions.
The Cowboys scored 31 points, including four touchdowns, in their 31-14 win in Tampa Bay over the Bucs in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Bucs Have Already Interviewed 4 OC Candidates
With the Bucs’ expected interest in Moore, their list of offensive coordinator candidates is becoming pretty lengthy. They’ve completed interviews with Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, Vikings wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell, Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher.
Tampa Bay is also set to interview Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, as well as Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken, in the coming days.
