A new Pewter Report Roundtable debuts every Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Each week, the Pewter Reporters tackle another tough question. This week’s prompt: Who was the best Bucs assistant coach in 2024 – outside of offensive coordinator Liam Coen?

Scott Reynolds: Kudos To Skip Peete For RB Development

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and RBs coach Skip Peete – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As someone who grew up watching football in the 1970s and 1980s in my youth, I love a good running game. And I’m glad that the running game has made a successful return to the NFL, which got a little too pass happy for my liking in recent seasons. It’s been depressing watching the Bucs’ moribund ground game for years while covering this team. Tampa Bay’s rushing attack has lacked any real “attack” before this past season.

That’s when new offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s scheme and the arrival of rookie sensation Bucky Irving helped take the Tampa Bay running game from dead last in the league to fourth in the league, which was quite remarkable. Coen brought on a slew of new offensive coaches with the exception of veteran running backs coach Skip Peete, who was the lone holdover from Dave Canales’ staff. Peete did a great job with Tampa Bay’s running backs in 2024 and deserves plenty of praise.

Not only did Irving became the Bucs’ first 1,000-yard rusher with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry as a rookie, but Rachaad White increased his rushing average from 3.7 yards per carry to a 4.3-yard average with two rushing scores and six receiving TDs. Sean Tucker also burst onto the scene in his second season in Tampa Bay and was NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 6. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry with three total TDs. The Bucs’ three-deep running back room is the envy of the league thanks in part to Peete’s quality coaching and development.

Matt Matera: Justin Peelle Did A Great Job With The Tight Ends

Bucs TE Devin Culp and TEs coach Justin Peelle – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs tight end room was considered mediocre to average going into the 2024 season. Cade Otton was continuing to be the starter but was a bottom tier starter in the league. Payne Durham hardly got much playing time, Ko Kieft became a glorified fullback that was better on special teams, plus Devin Culp was a seventh-round pick that didn’t have a lot of expectations. Then Justin Peelle came into town and made this group a standout unit.

All it started with the growth of Durham, who progressed as much as a blocker as he did as a receiver. His shining moments came when the Bucs needed him most on offense. Receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were injured in the game against the Ravens, so Otton essentially became the top target for Baker Mayfield. He had three big games in a row with 100 yards, 81 yards and 77 yards while getting over double-digit targets in each appearance.

Of course Otton eventually got hurt late in the season like many Bucs did, which meant it was time for Durham and Culp to shine. Durham had two games in a row, letting it be known that he can be a red zone presence. Culp had his most playing time of his rookie in the last two regular season games. He showed off some speed and had a combined 88 yards on five catches in two games. Justin Peelle took a young, unpolished group with not much experience behind Otton and made them ready for everything in this high flying offense.

Bailey Adams: Bucs O-Line Coaches Were Superb In 2024

Bucs OL coach Kevin Carberry – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For as impressive as offensive coordinator Liam Coen was for the Bucs in 2024, his offensive line coaches were right up there with him. Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci worked wonders with Tampa Bay’s offensive line this season, helping it take a massive leap forward even as it broke in some new personnel. Under the direction of Carberry and Picucci, the O-line helped fuel a 4,500-yard passing season for Baker Mayfield and a 1,000-yard rushing season for rookie running back Bucky Irving.

Not only that, but the Bucs broke their single-season franchise record for team rushing yards, surpassing the previous record of 2,437 that had stood since 1979. The offensive line played a huge part in that in addition to leading the way for Tampa Bay to average 5.25 yards per carry, which ranked third-best in the NFL this year. The Bucs were also the only team in the league to rank top five in passing yards per game (3rd) as well as rushing yards per game (4th).

Considering where this team’s run game was for the last couple of years – dead last – the improvement in 2024 was massive. It can’t all be attributed to the offensive line, but the unit does deserve a lot of credit, and so do its coaches.

And not only did Carberry and Picucci help the unit level up as a whole – they helped get the best out of each individual along the line. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs made another Pro Bowl and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in his second year since switching over from the right side of the line. Left guard Ben Bredeson came in and shored up that spot on the line. Rookie center Graham Barton weathered some growing pains to turn in a strong debut season. Right guard Cody Mauch proved to be the most improved player on the offense. And right tackle Luke Goedeke continued to round into form as one of the best right tackles in the league.

Carberry and Picucci were a breath of fresh air after Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert followed Dave Canales to Carolina last offseason. The Bucs can only hope that they can hang onto these two even if Coen does take a job elsewhere in the coming days or weeks.

Adam Slivon: Kacy Rodgers Is The Bright Spot On Defensive Staff

Bucs co-DC Kacy Rodgers – Photo by: USA Today

When looking at the best Bucs assistant coaches not named Liam Coen, one immediately looks at all the talent under him that propelled the offense this past season. What gets overlooked though is what co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers did with the defensive line and game-planning the run defense. This has been Rodgers’ specialty for a while, going way back to his days with the Cowboys in 2003. Throughout his time in the league, he has helped develop numerous Pro Bowl defensive linemen. He’s done the same in Tampa Bay.

After following Todd Bowles from the Jets to the Bucs in 2019, Rodgers has played a critical role in Vita Vea’s on-field growth after he was drafted in 2018. The same can be said for Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey, who were the team’s top draft picks in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The three of them combined for 20 sacks in 2024 and were stout in run defense, playing a key part in the unit allowing just 97.8 rushing yards a game, which was the fourth-best mark in the league. While the defense struggled for much of this season, one bright spot was the work Kacy Rodgers did with the defensive line room.

Rodgers has proven himself as the Bucs’ best defensive assistant coach, and his reported interview with the Packers could be a way to gain leverage for a pay increase next season. With the work he has done with the guys in his room that is warranted. He is the one defensive position coach that should undoubtedly be retained. His contract has expired, and he interviewed with Green Bay for the same role, but hopefully that was just to leverage Tampa Bay for a raise.

Josh Queipo: Josh Grizzard Because Of His Name (Among Other Things)

Bucs OC Liam Coen, RB Bucky Irving and pass game coordinator Josh Grizzard – Photo by: Corey Perrine/USA Today

Let’s get this out of the way. By virtue of his amazing first name, he is the worthiest of this prestigious moniker. But beyond his badass name, Grizzard was instrumental in taking the Bucs’ pass game from 23rd in yards per game and 12th in EPA/pass in 2023 to third and fourth, respectively. All of this was achieved while the Bucs lost their top two receivers for wide swaths of the season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield set career highs in passing yards, first downs and touchdowns.

Grizzard oversaw a passing attack that led the league in third down conversions and was third in drop back success rate in the NFL. Grizzard brought a proven track record of success to Tampa Bay after spending seven years with the Dolphins, including the past two as a quality control coach. Since arriving in Tampa Bay he has helped get the most out of Mayfield, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Cade Otton while helping to develop one of the most lethal screen games in the NFL.

And if the team loses offensive coordinator Liam Coen to Jacksonville to be the Jaguars head coach it would not surprise me one bit if Grizzard gets an interview to replace him. The Bucs have gone outside the organization for the last two coordinators but could have the luxury of staying in-house and keeping Coen’s system in place with Grizzard’s elevation should the team go in that direction if Coen departs.