If Todd Bowles And Bryon Leftwich Leave
January 26th, 2022
Massive changes coming?
Late last night there was all sorts of chatter on social media (not from what Joe would consider legitimate sources) that the Jags are close to hiring Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to be their head coach.
Also, a couple of credible journalists, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network and formerly of the Houston Chronicle, who Joe knows personally and respects and trusts a great deal, and Mark Maske of the Washington Post, were close to suggesting Leftwich is gone, per their Twitter feeds. Maske believes negotiations between the Jags and Leftwich’s people are entering advanced stages. Wilson stopped short of saying it is a done deal.
Wilson did speculate who Leftwich may bring with him to Jacksonville from the Bucs, provided he is hired.
Yesterday, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was reported to be interviewing on Thursday with the Raiders, the fourth team to bring in Bowles for a look-see.
If both guys leave, look for Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians to have his coaching staff picked apart. Wilson suggested an offensive and a defensive assistant would leave with Leftwich. It’s unclear who would be permitted to leave by the Bucs.
And when Bowles left the Cardinals to take over the Jets in 2018, he brought current Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers with him as his defensive coordinator.
Last week when Arians said he would be back as Bucs coach in 2022, he did so likely thinking he would have Tom Brady, Bowles and Leftwich. Remember, late last week Arians said he would be “shocked” if Brady didn’t come back.
If all three wave goodbye and Arians has his staff cherry-picked, might Arians just say, “Aw, the hell with it” and head to his Georgia lakehouse for good?
A lot of dominoes can fall in the next few days for the Bucs.
Buckle up.
January 26th, 2022 at 1:09 am
I just read that Jacksonville is close to naming Byron their new head coach.
LOL, because they have chosen to stick with Trent Baalke, their options are limited.
Not too sure about Leftwich leaving, especially after our last game.
January 26th, 2022 at 1:28 am
They are not the only 2 fish in the sea
So it begins
January 26th, 2022 at 1:29 am
My response to the headline? I celebrate. Then I worry. Completely new coaching staff unless filled within, and Bucco. Does Brady want to play with/for that? Even if they bring it good coordinators, it takes time to get it right. Plus the pending free agency losses and uncertainties. Is that what Brady wants in perhaps his final season?
January 26th, 2022 at 1:35 am
Payton decides to retire bcuz he has no QB and the saints are a mess at salary cap & m. Thomas.
Two face arians is the same. With out a Qb hes garbage. Cannot develop.
January 26th, 2022 at 1:51 am
So…. if the dominoes fall, and BA quits, that means Matt Gay ran Arians out of the league!
January 26th, 2022 at 1:56 am
If Leftwich leaves, great, if it means Arians is going to call the games themselves.
If Bowles left, that’s a bigger deal, a much bigger deal. But I also think he sort of sealed his own fate on Sunday at the end of the game, and I doubt he’s going anywhere this year. The Bucs, of course, could make a side deal with him that when Arians hangs it up he takes over the team, but if Arians leaves, it means Brady leaves, which means the team is in full rebuild mode, and I’m not sure Bowles wants to go through that, or fans won’t be calling for his head after 2 losing seasons.
January 26th, 2022 at 1:56 am
Is there a chance they all three leave and Brady stays.
January 26th, 2022 at 2:05 am
HC Grover Says:
January 26th, 2022 at 1:56 am
Is there a chance they all three leave and Brady stays.
———
That would be interesting. The Bucs could then sign Jon Gruden to coach, get all the headlines in the NFL for the next year.
January 26th, 2022 at 2:11 am
Congratulations to Coach Leftwich. Thank you for 3 great seasons of leading a Bucs offense that ranked among the best. While I’m sorry to see him leave, he earned this career opportunity and I hope is successful. I also hope the Bucs use this opportunity to be innovative in bringing in new blood that might infuse new life into the offense.
January 26th, 2022 at 2:24 am
If Brady leaves we are in deep doo-doo with Gabbert. I have zero faith in him, whether Areins stays or not. And I dont see Brady staying if we are in a rebuilding mode with both coaches.
I also think Brady should call his own plays, after all he has more experience than Leftwhich wished he had. They must have a backup plan for Brady if he leaves, I hope.
JMO
January 26th, 2022 at 3:45 am
I don’t think BL or TB are particularly good coordinators. Think their loss will not be an issue. I’m more concerned about Brady leaving then Arians. A new QB and new HC puts the Bucs right back in perpetual rebuilding hell. And no Gabbert is not a SB winning QB and Trask was a wasted pick….
January 26th, 2022 at 4:56 am
What’s the point of having a massive staff if these guys can’t step up?
I don’t think Brady is going to retire, but if he were, there’s a ton of QBs ready who could move. Rodgers, Wilson, Cousins, Carr, Wentz, Tannehill, Mayfield, Garappolo, Darnold, Trubisky, not to mention the draft. There’s options out there.
Not to mention Jameis of course…(lol jk)
January 26th, 2022 at 4:57 am
Trask wasn’t a wasted pick if he was coming out in this years draft he would have been the first QB taken. You can’t think Pickard from Pitt is a better QB then Trask. He took Florida to the SEC championship game and nearly beat Bama. If Brady retires what QB in this years draft is better then Trask?
January 26th, 2022 at 5:02 am
Ah yes, football as entertainment. The off season of baloney. Brady and Bruce will be back. Leftwich can go(run more! and get a fullback).
January 26th, 2022 at 5:08 am
This is really becoming an interesting off-season, and it’s barely started. Will Tom Brady retire? Will BL get hired by the Jags? Will Bowles take another job? If they do, will BA call it quits also? With so many FAs this year (26 as of now) and so many roster holes to fill (including roughly 10 critical ones), how are we gonna pull that off with limited $$$? So many questions; so few answers.
Reality to me is that the Bucs’ current situation is a game of dominoes. Brady’s decision will drive many others. Leftwich & Bowles ultimate destinations (here or elsewhere) are dependent on decisions that other teams will make. And BA’s decision may very well be driven by what Brady & his key staff decide.
I expect that the Bucs will make a few player decisions before all that is fleshed out, but very very few. JL won’t want to undercut a new HC if that’s the ultimate result from the dominoes falling, IF they do. Besides, free agency doesn’t start until March 16th & the draft won’t happen until April 28th. No need to rush things.
January 26th, 2022 at 5:10 am
@Buc4evr and the others,
You guys forget the Mike Smith era and the handcuffing of the Chiefs in LV? Todd Bowles isn’t perfect, but he’s far and away better than what we’ve had in the past except for Monte Kiffin. I mean we literally have the same CBs that Mike Smith couldn’t develop. They aren’t lights out either, but we definitely got more out of them with TB as the DC.
January 26th, 2022 at 5:23 am
Leftwich was already hired by jaguars
January 26th, 2022 at 7:26 am
Won’t the Bucs get a 3rd round draft pic for losing Leftwich to the Jags as HC??
Saw that somewhere….
January 26th, 2022 at 7:28 am
I’m not sure why Bowles would leave, Arians is here at most 1-2 more years, there’s good ownership, good gm, good roster. If they all leave, it’s back to 9-8, mebbe 10-7
January 26th, 2022 at 7:29 am
There’s way too many good QBs out there for the team to just start Gabbert without looking….. Don’t be surprised I Tom Hanks it up and the bucs go after Russell Wilson……
January 26th, 2022 at 7:33 am
Isnt leftwich gone?
Does this article need to be updated?
January 26th, 2022 at 7:37 am
If everyone leaves and BA decides to leave and we are left with no coaching staff at all we are screwed. Like 9 other teams need coaches right now. This is not the year to be coach shopping.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:10 am
Payton will come out of retirement & bring Jameis “America’s Quarterback”
Problem solved….
January 26th, 2022 at 8:17 am
Best wishes to BL but I don’t see why the Jags are clamoring over him for the HC. Is he even an average OC?
January 26th, 2022 at 8:22 am
sure sounds like per Jacksonville sports talk radio that its already a done deal for BL
January 26th, 2022 at 8:35 am
We could actually get 3 3rd picks if both BL and TB get a HC position.
2020 RESOLUTION JC-2A
The employer-club of a minority employee who has been hired by another club as its Head Coach or Primary Football Executive (General Manager) shall receive Draft choice compensation in the form of a compensatory Draft pick in the third round in each of the next two Drafts for an employee hired as either a Head Coach or Primary Football Executive, or for the next three Drafts if it has two employees hired for both positions
January 26th, 2022 at 8:41 am
As of 8:38 a.m. Joe can find no one or no outlet that he knows or trusts that is claiming this is a done deal (yet). Someone by the Twitter handle of “EDilla” claims it’s true. Sorry if Joe doesn’t consider that guy Tom Brokaw.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:44 am
Get a good OC if brady comes back.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:47 am
Regardless, after all is said and done my son and I will be here to sweep up the confetti. We are Buc fans.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:48 am
What about Fangio wonder if current players fit scheme. Certainly less blitzing.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:49 am
Fangio as DC and BC calling plays if BL leaves.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:52 am
Don’t count Leftwich out of the Jax top spot. At least Leftwich has a reasonable excuse for Sunday, his unit was battered and depleted before entering the contest. And yet they managed a comeback despite series after series of bleak setbacks.
Trevor Lawrence looks lost, he needs better coaching or he’ll end up a bust faster than you can say “Josh Rosen”. Jax needs an offensive-oriented Head Coach; Leftwich has a good resume and had the opportunity to work with the GOAT.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:56 am
Does Brady have to step back in and solicit the Bucs next coaching staff? Couldn’t see the Jags getting worse than they are but it’s about to happen. If BA wakes up and calls it quits, Bowles will be the Bucs HC because no one else will hire him after last weekends debacle.
January 26th, 2022 at 9:05 am
I don’t know what the infatuation is with Bowles. this defense has been stellar against the run and QB pressure, but sucks against the pass. He constantly loads the box and sells out to stop the run and create pressure. Teams have decided to abandon the run and air it out. This is why we give up 300+ passing yards a game and 20+ points, even to sub par QBs.
Even when the secondary was seriously limited due to injuries, he did the same thing. He refuses to evolve and resorts to the same old habits no matter what.
I don’t see him leaving being a big loss.
January 26th, 2022 at 9:15 am
good riddance
January 26th, 2022 at 9:39 am
I would try and pick off as many coaches from Rams and Saints staff. They have learned under 2 of the better head coaches in the NFL. There are some good position coaches on those teams that perhaps could step into an offensive coordinator position. Likewise off the Chiefs staff. The Bucs need
January 26th, 2022 at 9:41 am
BL is loved by the Jags because of his history there and maybe their owner doesn’t understand that Brady is really changing the plays at the LOS. I guess I don’t get why everyone in the NFL thinks BL is HC material? If Gabbert was QB, no way would anyone look at BL as HC material.
January 26th, 2022 at 9:55 am
I feel sorry for Trevor Lawrence. He thought last year was bad! Now is not the time for the Jags to be experimenting.
January 26th, 2022 at 10:13 am
I am ok with all three bailing. Bring in Josh McDaniel as HC and Matt Patricia as DC. Brady stays.
Pistol
January 26th, 2022 at 10:58 am
If they both leave who will everyone complain about after losses?
January 26th, 2022 at 11:36 am
Please Don’t leave Bowles and Leftwich. Buc fans will have to find other scapegoats for losses..lol
January 26th, 2022 at 11:39 am
Hope Bowles stays and finishes off the defense. If BL goes to the Jags, I wish him the best. Good riddance, Sean Payton.
January 26th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
Based on his playing career and objective stats over the last three years as OC of the Bucs one would have to conclude as the Jags and other professionals did that he is a much better than average OC. I have never heard a former teammate or former (or current) player question his intelligence or competence. The only people who seem to undervalue his ability are those who need to implicitly feel some sense of superiority by not acknowledging he has the experience and credentials to be as good a coach as anyone else. These same people would have a problem with Tony Dungy, Mike Flores, Mike Tomlin… literally anyone who does not fit their pre-conceived notion of what the person in charge should look like.
Greg Says:
January 26th, 2022 at 8:17 am
Best wishes to BL but I don’t see why the Jags are clamoring over him for the HC. Is he even an average OC?
January 26th, 2022 at 12:09 pm
You are the same guy who posted that Coach Leftwich was not competent or qualified and would not get the job in Jax. You indicated it was for show. looks like you are wrong again. While you can’t see his (or Coach Bowles value) the owners who have millions invested and the GM’s who have careers on the line value them. Former players and professionals who know football value them. yet somehow you are arrogant enough to believe you know better. i hoe you don’t wager money on your always wrong hunches…
Listnfrmafar Says:
January 26th, 2022 at 8:56 am
Does Brady have to step back in and solicit the Bucs next coaching staff? Couldn’t see the Jags getting worse than they are but it’s about to happen. If BA wakes up and calls it quits, Bowles will be the Bucs HC because no one else will hire him after last weekends debacle.
January 26th, 2022 at 12:19 pm
We will be better off without them can you say overrated
January 26th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Anonymous, BL recent success came at the hands of Brady, even a myopic person such as yourself can see that. Brady has never refused to run a play given from his previous OC’s so what does that tell you about BL’s capabilities? Brady has done this multiple time over that last two seasons, as recent as last weekend. You can defend this staff until you’re blue in the face but truth be told Bucs aren’t playing this weekend because of them.
January 26th, 2022 at 1:58 pm
wish Leftwich luck.. hope he takes Darden , rojo , & OJ with him…
January 26th, 2022 at 6:33 pm
So you are saying you are better qualified to judge their coaching ability than the owners, GM’s, former players and NFL commentators who say they are good coaches. Who is the perfect coach that has never made a bad call? By your standard every coach other than those over the 4 teams left are poor coaches, and The Bucs coaches are better than every coach whose team did not make it as far as they did. That is nonsense. Just as implying all their success is because of Brady and all their failure is because of the coaches. How about you win or lose as a team? Brady is great but not perfect, and Coach Leftwich had a successful playing and coaching resume outside of Brady. It does not fit your worldview to believe they can succeed without someone who does not look like them calling the shots huh?
Listnfrmafar Says:
January 26th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Anonymous, BL recent success came at the hands of Brady, even a myopic person such as yourself can see that. Brady has never refused to run a play given from his previous OC’s so what does that tell you about BL’s capabilities? Brady has done this multiple time over that last two seasons, as recent as last weekend. You can defend this staff until you’re blue in the face but truth be told Bucs aren’t playing this weekend because of them
January 27th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Sorry but the only reason Tampa was any good was because Tom Brady