Will The Bucs Lose Byron Leftwich?
December 15th, 2019
In recent years, NFL fans have seen successful young offensive playcallers become the hot hires when January arrives.
So Joe can’t think of a reason why offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich would not garner interest as a head coach in two short weeks.
That doesn’t mean Joe thinks 39-year-old Leftwich would be a good head coach; Joe has no clue. But it’s not about what Joe or any Bucs fan thinks. It’s about what an NFL owner might think about what Leftwich is doing without a decent running back and with an inconsistent quarterback.
The Bucs might have the No. 2 offense in the NFL when the season ends, in yards and in points. They’re also likely to have the NFL’s leading passer (total yards) and a rather diverse distribution of the ball.
Bucco Bruce Arians has told people all over the country that he took the Bucs job, in part, because he didn’t have to call plays and Leftwich would be in place for that stress and responsibility.
Arians, who commands a lot of respect around the NFL, also has made it clear Leftwich is head coach material. And Joe would be stunned if Arians tried to pull any slimy shenanigans to keep Leftwich in Tampa. Joe has no doubt Arians will support Leftwich completely.
If Leftwich, who wants to be a head coach, has a decent agent, Joe expects the rumors of Leftwich getting interest in head-coaching gigs should commence by Tuesday.
Don’t worry, fans of the Bucs defense. Joe is certain Todd Bowles won’t get any serious interest on the coaching market.
December 15th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
Make byron coach in waiting
December 15th, 2019 at 4:48 pm
Not a fricking chance. He’ll finish what he started.
December 15th, 2019 at 4:48 pm
Let’s see if we can throw stuff to the wall and see if it sticks. Cmon joe 4 weeks ago or you guys were all over his bad play calling and Bruce need a to call. NOw he is on peoples radar.
Looks like joe is reaching for stories Terrible take. Why is it so hard to realize the NFL is a fluid reality show? Regardless, This is not about Joe’s opinion, it’s about the reality of the NFL.–Joe
December 15th, 2019 at 4:53 pm
Will and should get interviews but Arians/Glazers can handle this
December 15th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
Give me his W-L record against winning teams. same with Jameis.
December 15th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
Real chance we will lose Byron. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t get at least a interview.
December 15th, 2019 at 4:59 pm
Please no more Peter Principle head coaches. Just because you can coordinate doesn’t mean you are head coach material.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Come on Truth. Exercise your brain. Bryon leading a top offensive unit in a offensive league. He is also a protege of a very highly reguardless and we’ll respected HC. It’s not a very complex equation bro.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
How many weeks ago were people crapping all over this man? First year OC, best bucs offense ever. How many articles about BL not getting the job done? But pass after pass given to the QB? Now he is a head coaching candidate, duh. But BL will not bite. He understands he is only in his 1st year as OC and is not going to pull a Josh Daniels and strike too soon. He will be smart and selective and who knows in another year, Arians may step aside so BL can move up.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:02 pm
Pump the brakes dude. I’m thrilled that we have won n 4 in a row and that Jameis MIGHT (I’m not convinced, but happy for progress) be turning a corner, but no one is hiring this guy after one year as oc to be a head coach. I also wouldn’t be shocked if there was a plan for Leftwich to take over when Arians retires.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Well, dark Monday aren’t too far away. The rumer mill will start turning soon enough.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:04 pm
LOL…No !…
he is still learning as a OC…
December 15th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Leftwich may get interest and interviews, but he’s likely to be BA’s successor. He’s been interviewing for the job all season long, and he seems to have pieces he can work with here in Tampa. He didn’t have success with Rosen, and he’s not likely to have this much success with a rookie QB. He should get a pay raise, perfect his craft, and bide his time for BA’s eventual departure.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:07 pm
I guess it’s possible but I would think most GM’s would want to see a little more from him.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Last coordinator we had promoted too soon didn’t work out that well. Now Raheem is in ATL and just a couple weeks away from getting sacked himself.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
“Lol
The QB coach intern cant loosen the stacked box
Defensive coords know exactly when tampa bay is going to run
Barber actually had a nice screen
KEEP RUNNING THE THE OUTSIDE RB SCREEN UNTIL THEY MOVE THE EXTRA DEFENDER OUT OF THE BOX
Jameis is making Leftwich look good”
Kobe Faker
December 15th, 2019 at 5:11 pm
When the season ends. It actually ended when Bucs were 2-6. All these meaningless wins mean squat! And we all know how JW plays when the pressure is on.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:11 pm
It’s going to be hard for Leftwich not to take a job if he’s offered one – but I think he needs quite a bit more seasoning before he’s going to be a successful head coach. I could be wrong, but it does appear that Leftwich, if he had his way, would go into a shell as soon as he gets any sort of lead – and it’s Arians telling him to keep chucking the ball. Also I’m not so sure Leftwich wouldn’t have given up on Winston early in the year, his body language on the sidelines tells me he was playing Winston and would keep throwing because Arians told him he had no choice.
Again, I could be wrong, I’m reading into things based on the few nuggets we’ve heard and body language – but if Leftwich really does want to be a long term successful head coach, I think he’ll wait a few more years. Yeah – I know that’s unlikely to happen – but man, he’s not even 40 yet, so in the coaching world he’s just a kid.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:12 pm
I hope all coaches & key players stay!! I said earlier in the season that culture change take time!!! Yea Baby
December 15th, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Pelsbuc61 <- Triggered by the Bucs winning. LOL!
December 15th, 2019 at 5:12 pm
It don’t matter homie …. he can leave. As long as we resign Winston. Koetter or Leftwich calling plays or whatever system jameis can throw it and make receivers shine and develop receivers.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:16 pm
Mort,
But! But we have owners who were promoted too soon as well.
That’s been splendid.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:20 pm
So I heard Fitzpatrick is making magic @dolphins. Lol. And ppl believe for a minute he can do what Jamies is doing. Lol.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:22 pm
Mentioned this earlier
make BA president of football operations
Make BL HC/OC
Make TB asst HC/DC
Do all of this when the time is right….
Bring everyone back….consistency is key
GO BUCS
December 15th, 2019 at 5:23 pm
Always starting rumors in his own head!
December 15th, 2019 at 5:28 pm
God willing
December 15th, 2019 at 5:30 pm
If Byron Sandwich is a head coach next year, then that means the Bucs beat the Texans next week and finish out 9 and 7. And to those fans who say Jameis isn’t playing under pressure, he’s playing for his career and his family. That’s more pressure than a game…
December 15th, 2019 at 5:31 pm
Leftwhich needs more Winston than Winston needs Leftwich.
December 15th, 2019 at 5:55 pm
I think that is a pipe dream. BL isn’t going anywhere. If the Bucs go to the play-offs next year and the Bucs are top 5 offense then he might get considerations to be a head coach
December 15th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
If don’t think LeftoverSandwich is going anywhere for at least another year. I would be very surprised if he becomes a head coach for 2020.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Glazers, please don’t pull another Dirk. We like our head coach.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Yes, teams are always looking for the next Adam Gase, Josh McDaniel and Norv Turner.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:22 pm
Really, though, if BL could fix the run game, then he would qualify as head coach material.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:24 pm
A 4 game winning streak does NOT make him head coach material especially with the CRAP show he put coached in Arizona last year.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
“Will The Bucs Lose Byron Leftwich?”
Absolutely not.
People need to stop freaking out. No one is going to offer Leftwhich a head coach job after only one season calling plays.
So let’s not give him anything extra.
Even if I am wrong, so what? Leftwich is calling Arian’s offense. Arians is teaching him how to coach. We don’t actually need Leftwich so long as we have Arians, and Todd Bowles can take over if Arians leaves.
Also, if Leftwich leaves, Arians will just teach someone else how to OC.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:36 pm
JimmyJack, are you intoxicated? Because your use of the english language tonight is painful, lol.
December 15th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Let him go, his high risk-high reward system is a big reason why you have a QB leading the league in both yards (almost TDs) & INTs.
Bowles >> Leftwich especially when you look at what both coordinators have to work with on their respective sides of the ball.
December 15th, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Bonzai
And who would that be?…
It took BA years to teach and BL years to learn….BA only came back because his entire staff became available….
JW and BL have a connection….any ole coach can’t step in and do what BL is doing….ask dirk and monken….
GO BUCS
December 15th, 2019 at 9:57 pm
I hope we keep him until BA retires if things keep going in the right direction an that’s a big if. Let BA keep molding BL an JW an the rest of this staff an players. Looks like we are going in the right direction
December 15th, 2019 at 10:46 pm
Na…hes here for the SB run next year…..what ya’ll smoking? LOL
December 16th, 2019 at 2:24 am
been there done that remember when mike smith was in this kinda boat.. eh
December 16th, 2019 at 3:30 am
He might get an offer from some garbage team like the Redskins, which he’ll turn down to stay with Arians as the “COACH IN WAITING” for the Bucs.
The Bucs plan was always for Arians to hand off to Leftwich.
December 16th, 2019 at 8:11 am
Long time BL fan here. Leftwich is TRAINING under BA. He’s also observing how a great DC –Bowles operates. BL isn’t going anywhere next season. The defense is jelling as is the ST. Our punter is incredible. His kickoffs always hit beyond the goal line. The other team is wise not to return them. They don’t. Gay is settling down, too. Bucs must draft a D lineman and O Lineman in the initial drafts. That’s more important than a RB.
December 16th, 2019 at 10:30 am
I hope so. Way over rated.
December 16th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Isn’t loyalty a two-way street ?
wouldn’t he like to finish what they have started ? (SB)
just saying