Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard has not had it easy when it comes to navigating his first season calling plays in the NFL. Previous offensive coordinators Dave Canales and Liam Coen did not have to deal with as many offensive injuries as Grizzard has through his first 11 games in his post. It goes without saying at this point, but for one reason or another, over half of the starting lineup has missed time.

Jalen McMillan has yet to play this season, while Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending injury in week two. Mike Evans remains out, and while Chris Godwin Jr., Luke Goedeke, and Tristan Wirfs have returned, it was not until each missed several games. Bucky Irving and Ben Bredeson are on the mend and in line to play in Week 13 against the Cardinals. But just as one player recovers, another goes down. This time, it is Baker Mayfield in jeopardy of not playing.

There are no excuses at this level, but Grizzard has had his work cut out for him. During his Wednesday press conference, the young offensive mind spoke at length about the process of making the right decision at quarterback, getting Irving involved in the run game, and the challenge of making everything click.

Josh Grizzard Is Letting Things Sort Themselves Out At Quarterback

After being on the road for their last two games, the Bucs returned home with a looming cloud over them. With quarterback Baker Mayfield missing the second half of Sunday night’s game against the Rams with a low-grade left shoulder sprain, the question everyone is asking right now surrounds his availability for this Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Making it of even more importance is where Tampa Bay stands right now. Holding an extremely slim lead in the NFC South, they are still very much in the playoff race despite the recent downturn.

Stuck in what has become an annual snowball, it is time to roll out of it facing the Cardinals. After putting up just seven points in Los Angeles and struggling to get into a consistent groove in over the past month, Josh Grizzard is tasked with cobbling together separate offensive gameplans based on whether Mayfield suits up or if it will be Teddy Bridgewater.

Bucs QB Teddy Bridgewater – Photo by: USA Today

At least for this week, Bridgewater will be getting an extended run with the first team.

“Teddy [Bridgewater] will definitely take more of the reps,” Grizzard said. “The positive to any week is that they’re all in there together for the design of the plays and the installation of it and the walk-through reps. But for Teddy to be able to get those reps in the walk-through and then be able to practice [Thursday] really helps out anybody who is in that position that hasn’t really done it before – or in recent history – to be able to get those reps to feel good about the game plan.

“And then, I’d say on the side of it on who plays, there are things you’ve got to adjust for each guy, like we’ve done for other positions – [where] it could be this call or that call that you’ve got to decide later in the week – but he’s in a good spot with it.”

There is at least some familiarity between Grizzard and Bridgewater, as the two spent the 2022 season together on the Dolphins back when the former was the wide receivers coach and the latter appearing in five games for Miami, starting two. If “Teddy Two Gloves” gets the nod, there will be a different style of quarterback and leader leading the offense compared to the fiery and highly competitive Mayfield.

Bucs QB Teddy Bridgewater – Photo by: USA Today

“There’s definitely a different demeanor,” Grizzard added. “Of course, how they conduct themselves is similar, but there’s a command in the way that they speak to people that might be different… Teddy does it in a different form or fashion, but it’s with the same intent of getting all 11 [players] on the same page, talking to the young [wide] receivers, young [running] backs. It’s definitely done in a different way and different leadership style, but I think both are effective.”

Grizzard can stabilize the Bucs’ offense schematically by leaning into Bridgewater’s strengths as a game manager and shifting the attack toward efficiency. That means committing to rhythm throws while avoiding long-developing concepts. No matter who starts under center, the run game must be the foundation, with Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, and potentially Bucky Irving allowing for a chance to exploit Arizona’s run defense. Now more than ever, there has to be an emphasis on manufacturing easy yards. Above all, Grizzard must keep the offense afloat with high percentage early down plays.

Regarding Mayfield, he is not one to back down from anything or anyone, whether it is Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, opposing fans, incoming defensive lineman or scrambling outside of the pocket. It has led to plenty of exciting, game-changing plays, but it has also proved to be a detriment when taking unnecessary hits. To make sure the gunslinger is healthy, Grizzard recognizes he has to protect Mayfield – from himself.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

“We would never want to put someone out there and put them in harm’s way if they can’t operate and play the game how they should play the game. If we feel like they’re not able to do that, then it’s now Teddy [Bridgewater]’s job and Teddy goes out there and operates, and we have the confidence in him.

“At the end of the day, just having those days from here until Sunday to see how this thing progresses – and just make sure we save ‘Bake’ (Baker Mayfield) from ‘Bake,’ because you guys see how he plays. When he’s out there, he’s going to give it his all and there won’t be any back-down. We’ve got to make sure that’s in the right spot before we put him out there.”

Bucs’ Offense Has Plenty Of Moving Pieces, Including RB Bucky Irving

Outside of just Baker Mayfield, Josh Grizzard also has to account for another important offensive player who has not played since Week 4.

It has been a difficult second season for running back Bucky Irving in more ways than one, but he is going full speed at practice and is aiming to provide the run game a boost. The ground attack has been improved after welcoming back left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke, with running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker also helping hold it down. As Irving inserts himself into the mix, so too does Grizzard have to figure out how to get the most out of a three-headed monster.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and OC Josh Grizzard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think it’s a lot like we did with Chris [Godwin Jr.], where you can’t expect a guy who hasn’t played in numerous weeks to go out there and get a normal lion’s share of the carries…,” Grizzard said. “For Chris, I think Chris played 25 [or] 26 snaps, so, to be able to bring them along, allow them to get their confidence back up, allow them to build their play strength back up.

“Then, as well as the scheme, where you’re not overloading them with too many, ‘This kind of run, that kind of pass,’ things like that…Trying to find that balance between using them and knowing they’re going to help us – but just thinking they’re going to go play 60 snaps off the rip, I think, would be a disservice to those guys.”

Having mentioned Godwin’s workload after returning in Week 12, one should not expect Irving to be as heavily involved as he was to begin the year. Across the first four games, Irving averaged nearly 18 carries and five catches in each contest. After playing 70% of the offensive snaps in that span, it is possible, and more than likely, that snaps will be evenly distributed among the backfield trio.

From quarterback to running back to still adjusting to the remaining pieces at wide receiver and offensive line, all eyes are on how Josh Grizzard creates the offensive plan of attack this week.

“It is a challenge, but it is something that I do find enjoyment in,” Grizzard said. “I think the offensive staff finds enjoyment in it, as well, because of the fact that these guys that are playing and stepping up, it’s their opportunity to go prove themselves and prove they belong and prove they can make plays… At the end of the day, we feel like every game we’re going into the rest of the season, and the ones we’ve played – we have more than enough ability to beat the team we’re playing. It’s on us to put these guys in a position to go make plays.”