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About the Author: Scott Reynolds

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Scott Reynolds is in his 30th year of covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the vice president, publisher and senior Bucs beat writer for PewterReport.com. Author of the popular SR's Fab 5 column on Fridays, Reynolds oversees web development and forges marketing partnerships for PewterReport.com in addition to his editorial duties. A graduate of Kansas State University in 1995, Reynolds spent six years giving back to the community as the defensive coordinator/defensive line coach for his sons' Pop Warner team, the South Pasco Predators. Reynolds can be reached at: [email protected]
Latest Bucs Headlines

The Bucs have already begun the process of looking for a replacement for offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who took the head coaching job with the Panthers on Thursday. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht are leading the search, as the team is looking for its third offensive coordinator in three years following Canales’ departure and the firing of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich after the 2022 season.

Pewter Report will update this post with which candidates the Bucs plan on interviewing in the coming days and weeks until the offensive coordinator position is filled.

Check back often on PewterReport.com for the most recent news and updates.

LATEST UPDATE: February 1 at 5:33 p.m. ET

Most Recent Bucs Offensive Coordinator Candidate News

UPDATE: Former Browns Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt

Another Bucs offensive coordinator candidate has accepted a job elsewhere, as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Thursday evening that Alex Van Pelt is set to become the Patriots’ new offensive coordinator.

Van Pelt was an intriguing option for Tampa Bay due to the fact that he has worked with Baker Mayfield in the past, back when Mayfield was in Cleveland. Not only that, but Van Pelt came from a Browns team that ran the ball very well and Todd Bowles wants his new coordinator to share a similar philosophy to the one Dave Canales had during his one-year stint in Tampa.

So, with Van Pelt off to New England, does former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson become the frontrunner for the Bucs? Or is there another unproven, first-time play caller who the team will decide on instead? Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Kentucky, Former Rams Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen

On Wednesday evening it was revealed that current Kentucky offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Liam Coen is expected to interview with the Bucs for their open offensive coordinator position in the coming days, per Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.

Coen, 38, spent last season in the college ranks with Kentucky for his second stint there as the offensive coordinator. That was following two stints with the Rams (2018-2020, 2022). What has been a theme for the Bucs in their search is that they have kept an eye out for candidates who spent time with Baker Mayfield, in particular during his brief time in Los Angeles in 2022.

Coen was his offensive coordinator during that time and helped him get on track enough to parlay his stretch of play into a contract to compete for a starting role in Tampa Bay.

Although he is young, Coen has worked in the coaching ranks since 2010, making various stops in college with a specialty as a quarterbacks coach as he was once a four-year starter at UMass. With his background, it is easy to see why he might appeal to the Bucs, and it will be interesting to see if he breaks his run of alternating between the Rams and Kentucky to call plays for another team.

UPDATE: Rams Pass Game Specialist Jake Peetz

It was previously reported that the Bucs put in a request to interview Rams pass game specialist Jake Peetz. On Wednesday, Albert Breer reported that Peetz will be in Tampa for an interview on Thursday.

Peetz, 39, has spent time with the Jaguars, Commanders, Raiders, Panthers, and Rams at the NFL level. He also spent time as a college coach, with two stints at Alabama in 2013 and 2018 as an offensive analyst under Nick Saban and a year as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU in 2021.

UPDATE: Bucs Tight Ends Coach John Van Dam

In addition to interviewing Bucs quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis for the vacant offensive coordinator job, Tampa Bay will interview another in-house candidate in tight ends coach John Van Dam, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

UPDATE: Bucs Quarterbacks Coach Thad Lewis

When Dave Canales left for Carolina’s head coaching job, it seemed obvious that Bucs quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis would be an in-house option to replace him. But as time passed without him getting an interview, it seemed like he may not be an option after all.

But on Wednesday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Lewis will interview for the job Wednesday. Buffalo, Las Vegas, Tennessee and Cincinnati have all had interest in him, and he’s well thought of by Todd Bowles.

Lewis was initially hired as an intern by Bruce Arians and has since worked as Tampa Bay’s assistant wide receivers coach and then its quarterbacks coach in 2023.

UPDATE: Lions Tight Ends Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Tanner Engstrand

In addition to the news that the Bucs completed offensive coordinator interviews with Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, another candidate has entered the fray. Lions tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand will also interview for the opportunity to replace Dave Canales in Tampa, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.

Engstrand began his coaching career under Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, where he stayed from 2005-2017. He then was an offensive analyst at Michigan in 2018 before working in the XFL in 2020. From there, the 41-year-old joined the Lions and has worked as their tight ends coach and passing game coordinator over the last four seasons.

UPDATE: Texans Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson

After it was previously reported that he was a candidate, Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson will be interviewing with Bucs head coach Todd Bowles in Tampa on Tuesday, KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported Monday night.

Johnson just finished his first year with Houston, working with Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate C.J. Stroud. He previously served as the Vikings’ assistant quarterbacks coach in 2022 after working as the offensive quality control coach with the Colts from 2020-2021. Johnson will turn just 36 this summer, so he’s certainly one of the younger candidates for the Bucs’ open offensive coordinator job. The Steelers and Saints have reportedly completed interviews with him for their open offensive coordinator roles as well.

UPDATE: Former Browns Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt

The Bucs have another candidate for their open offensive coordinator position, and it’s former Browns coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He’ll interview with the team in Tampa on Monday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning.

Van Pelt, 53, began his coaching career with Buffalo, first as the offensive quality control coach from 2006-2007 before coaching quarterbacks in 2008. He was the Bills’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2009 before making his next stop in Tampa as the Bucs’ quarterbacks coach under Raheem Morris in 2010 and 2011. He then coached running backs and quarterbacks over stops with the Packers and Bengals.

Most recently, Van Pelt served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020-2023. He was fired after the team’s playoff loss to the Texans a few weeks ago, though he did some solid work in Cleveland. In fact, 2023 was some especially good work as starting quarterback Deshaun Watson missed most the year and the Browns still made a run to the playoffs with Joe Flacco, who was signed midseason, under center.

Van Pelt was Baker Mayfield’s offensive coordinator in Cleveland from 2020-2021. While 2023 became the best statistical season of Mayfield’s career, his previous best was in 2020 when he threw for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Mayfield then played through injury in 2021, throwing for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Mayfield is a pending free agent, but Tampa Bay would like to bring him back on a new deal this offseason.

UPDATE: Rams Pass Game Specialist Jake Peetz

It was reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer Sunday afternoon that the Bucs put in a request to interview Rams pass game specialist Jake Peetz for offensive coordinator. Breer also noted that he will meet with Tampa Bay later in the week. Peetz has been in various roles within the NFL since starting with the Jaguars as a scout in 2008.

Still just 39 years old, Peetz has spent time with the Jaguars, Commanders, Raiders, Panthers, and Rams at the NFL level. He also has coaching experience in the college ranks, having served two stints with Alabama in 2013 and 2018 as an offensive analyst under Nick Saban and was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU in 2021. He will be the latest name to monitor in the team’s ongoing search.

UPDATE: Former Bills Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey

It was revealed Sunday evening that Ken Dorsey has been hired to be the Browns’ offensive coordinator, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. For Dorsey, this marks a reunion of sorts as he was a quarterback in Cleveland from 2006-2008. Now, he gets another chance at being an offensive coordinator and will do so working under Kevin Stefanski. For the Bucs, Dorsey is the latest candidate to be hired by another team before Tampa Bay could interview them.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bucs plan on interviewing former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Buffalo fired Dorsey midseason and replaced him with interim play-caller Joe Brady. Dorsey, who won a national championship at the University of Miami, was a backup quarterback in the NFL with Cleveland and San Francisco for six years.

He started his coaching career in Carolina as the Panthers quarterbacks coach from 2013-17 before taking on the same position in Buffalo in 2019. Dorsey was the Bills offensive coordinator during the 2022-23 seasons.

UPDATE: Texans Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson, Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El

In a flurry of updates on coaching searches around the NFL on Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport listed coaches who have either interviewed or been requested to interview for the Bucs’ open offensive coordinator position. The list included previously known names like former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, but it also included two new names.

Texans Qbs Coach Jerrod Johnson

Texans QBs coach Jerrod Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

One of those names was Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson, who just finished his first year in that role with Houston. He previously served as the Vikings’ assistant quarterbacks coach in 2022 after working as the offensive quality control coach with the Colts from 2020-2021. Johnson is a young coach, as he’s set to turn just 36 this summer. The Steelers and Saints have reportedly completed interviews with him as well.

The other new name is a familiar one to the Bucs’ coaching staff. Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El began his coaching career as an offensive assistant in Tampa Bay from 2019-2020, so Todd Bowles will have known him from their time together under Bruce Arians.

Randle El became Detroit’s wide receivers coach in 2021 and is still with the team, which is set to play in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday night. The former Pittsburgh and Washington wide receiver is another relatively young candidate, as he’ll turn 45 in August.

UPDATE: Former Chargers Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Friday that the Bucs planned on interviewing former Chargers and Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. But that won’t happen as he’s already agreed to join Philadelphia and be the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, working with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Perhaps the Bucs are catching a break as Moore is on his third team in three years now.

Moore was fired by Dallas after the 2022 season, as head coach Mike McCarthy took over play-calling duties, and Moore was hired by the Chargers. The Cowboys offense actually improved its scoring output with McCarthy calling plays in 2023. Dallas averaged 26.8 points per game under Moore in 2022 and led the league in scoring this year with 30.1 points per game. Meanwhile, the Chargers offense regressed offensively in 2023 under Moore, averaging 20.4 points per game after scoring 23.4 points per game in 2022. Moore, head coach Brandon Staley and the rest of the Chargers staff was fired this offseason.

UPDATE: Rams QBs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson

Robinson has been named the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He was scheduled to interview with the Bucs, but now that interview won’t happen, obviously.

Rams QBs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson

Rams Passing Game Coordinator Zac Robinson Bucs

Rams passing game coordinator Zac Robinson – Photo by: USA Today

Rapoport reported that the Bucs submitted a request to interview Rams quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Zac Robinson. He and quarterback Baker Mayfield worked together in December of 2022 when Mayfield was claimed by Los Angeles off waivers and was the Rams quarterback when Matthew Stafford was injured. But as Pewter Report reported on Friday, he’s headed to Atlanta to join forces with new head coach Raheem Morris. Robinson and Morris spent three years together with the Rams.

Robinson, a Sean McVay protégé, was in high demand around the league for vacant offensive coordinator positions, including NFC South division rivals Tampa Bay and New Orleans. Now that Robinson has landed with Atlanta it could prompt the Falcons to get into a free agent bidding war with the Bucs for Mayfield’s services if the Falcons want to go the free route at quarterback, as neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke is the answer under center.

Former Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson

CBS’ Jonathan Jones reported that the Bucs are going to interview former Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, 36, who was fired after his offense generated just nine points against Todd Bowles’ team in a 32-9 Wild Card win by the Bucs. The Eagles scored 24.6 points per game in 2023 after scoring 29.1 points per game in 2022 during their Super Bowl run.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts also regressed during the 2023 season, as Philadelphia’s promising 10-1 start dissolved into an 11-6 finish and a first-round playoff loss to Tampa Bay. Johnson was the former offensive coordinator at the University of Florida where he worked with Bucs backup quarterback Kyle Trask.

Bucs QBs Coach Thad Lewis May Get The Opportunity To Interview

Bucs quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis is well thought of by Bowles and the organization and is expected to be an in-house candidate as well. But unlike Ken Dorsey, Brian Johnson and Kellen Moore, Lewis does not have any play-calling experience.

Lewis has drawn interest as an offensive coordinator candidate from the Raiders, according to Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, and the Bills, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Buffalo will also interview its interim play-caller Joe Brady for the job, too. Lewis is in demand due to his work this past season with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had a career year in his first season in Tampa Bay.

Bucs Interviewed 10 Offensive Coordinator Candidates Last Year

Bucs Qb Baker Mayfield And Oc Dave Canales

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs interviewed 10 candidates last year, including Dave Canales, who ultimately got Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator job.

The other candidates included 49ers pass game coordinator Klint Kubiak, Vikings receivers coach Keenan McCardell, Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, Saints quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.

Kubiak, Cooter, Brown and Pitcher had different roles last year when they interviewed with Tampa Bay. Monken and Pitcher turned down the offensive coordinator job last year when offered due to concerns about Bowles’ job security. It is unclear if any of those offensive-minded coaches will be candidates again this year.

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