Odds Appear Long For Byron Leftwich In Jacksonville
February 3rd, 2022
“Tom, you left me with Blaine, Kyle and Ryan.”
It’s starting to look like Bucco Bruce Arians will have his full band back together for the 2022 season (minus lead trumpet player Tom Brady).
NFL Network reported this morning that the Jaguars are moving toward hiring ousted Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and, per reporter Mike Garofolo, Spielman may be a bit of a package kind of deal to bring in former Eagles Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson.
Jacksonville supposedly was hot on Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to be their next head coach, and he interviewed with them early in the hiring cycle. But reports emerged alleging Leftwich didn’t want to work with Jaguars personnel czar Trent Baalke. It was said Leftwich was pushing Cardinals executive Adrian Wilson as a candidate. Now it seems Jacksonville could be completely off the Leftwich train.
There were reports that Leftwich was to interview with the Saints but it did not happen.
Coach-hiring season brings lots of speculation and last-minute drama. It seems the February winds have blown away from Leftwich.
Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles had his share of interviews but there is no sign of him being a hot candidate anywhere. (Joe supposes Bowles’ Jets tenure was scrutinized.)
Bad news for the wallets and aspirations of Bowles and Leftwich, but certainly good news for Bucs fans.
It would be pretty wild and rare to win a Super Bowl like the Bucs did, and then win 14 games the following season, and not have your coordinators and front office staff raided by other teams. But it seems that is the case in Tampa.
Only four NFL head coaching jobs remain open – the Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans.
From @gmfb: The #Jaguars continue to work toward adding former #Vikings GM Rick Spielman to their front office. Sources tell us at @nflnetwork progress has been made, though nothing is done yet. Doug Pederson remains in the mix for the HC job. pic.twitter.com/g43SCSLzTZ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 3, 2022
Enjoy Wednesday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast.
Ira Kaufman Talks Tom Brady Exit And The Bucs’ Veteran QB Response, The National Media Attack On Jason Licht & Bruce Arians, A Top-10 Defense Debate, Bridgewater Vs. Garropolo, And More
February 3rd, 2022 at 8:55 am
If the Bucs go to the playoffs or even the Super Bowl next year without Brady, there will be many teams going after Leftwich. We’ll see next season just how much Leftwich was a factor in winning games or was it mostly Brady. I suspect the latter.
February 3rd, 2022 at 8:57 am
Leftwing played chicken on removing Balke there and lost, simple as that. Blake is a difficult personality to work with though, most day.
How bout Aaron Rodgers buying land outside Nashville recently, in Franklin, and thinking about usurping Tannehill to go with King Henry and a defense?! Makes a ton of sense. Packers would trade to AFC Titans, and our old front office buddy in Jon Robinson. Good fit!
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:00 am
He overplayed his hand, plain and simple. Take a head coaching job, show a great track record of success, and then you can demand what he’s asking. Not this soon.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:01 am
Rooney rule.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:02 am
And yet lesser qualified guys are being hired.
I am a pretty anti-conspiracy, pro-establishment person by nature but when you have a league of 70% black dudes and only 3.1% of head coaches are black, something ain’t right.
“Best person for the job” my a$$
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:06 am
Many head coaches have been hired and went up in flames due to the GM situation. It’s better to stay a coordinator than to deal with that bs. Leftwich knows what won’t make him happy and becoming another rediculed head coach who was stuck with bad management isn’t it.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:10 am
Have never been very pro-BL but I think he’s (like JL) grown a bunch in these past 3 years. Unfortunately for Byron IMO, he seems to be stuck with BA’s outdated offense attack strategy. Even the great Tom Brady had difficulty making that dog hunt. Once he ‘modified’ it though to better suit his skillset, The GOAT kicked ass.
IF Kyle Trask does get a chance to start (with BA in charge that’s a BIG IF), his OC would have to give him a fighting chance to succeed (like Sean Payton, unlike Bruce Arians, did with Jameis this past season?). IF BA tries to force Trask into the same mold that he used with Jameis, I can’t see how the results would be much different. But IF they bring him along slowly (like Belicheck did with Mac Jones?) then Trask MIGHT have a decent chance to be successful with the Bucs. That’d mean leaning more heavily on our other strengths; well, once we sign them that is.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:10 am
I guess Byron was asked to answer questions during his interview.
I guess we know now why we’re stuck with him for another year.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:11 am
well, W/O TB we might actually need BL’s attempt at a ground game if Trask is our QB
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:13 am
Bowles blew up his chance with his losing terrible game plan against the Rams !
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:15 am
It seems that the owners don’t like ultimatums from prospective and former coaches
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:17 am
I suspect there is some truth to the Rooney rule causing minority interviews….but no hiring.
But…..this is all obviously BA’s fault.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:28 am
Not too happy about that. I was looking forward to the two consecutive 3rd round picks. If BL doesn’t get a job there is no way Bowles gets one. Not after the travesty on defense to end the season.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:34 am
It will be last year this year minus 6 wins if we are lucky. It could be even worse.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:50 am
I’m really not surprised, trams can’t be sure it’s Leftwich or was it Brady. I agree if the offense hums this year without Brady his value goes up, but I’m guessing our offense looks pretty mediocre this year and his stock drops. I feel like he is in the same boat as Bienemy. Can’t get credit while Mahomes and Reid are there.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:55 am
What a surprise.
I was looking forward to two #3’s for trade capital.
Or four #3’s.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:55 am
So the NFL is being sued by Brian Flores for racial hiring practices. And the league has currently only 1 black head coach out of 32 teams.
That’s not good optics. And regardless whether the lawsuit has merit or not, it’s going to be talked about all offseason.
February 3rd, 2022 at 9:57 am
The Rooney Rule is a feel-good bone tossed to minorities. Window dressing.
I suspect most, if not all GM/Owners know who they want before the first interview.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:02 am
I would rather have the extra third round picks.
I had a feeling BL wasn’t going anywhere…
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:08 am
The Rooney Rule would be good if executed with the proper intentions, but it looks like that isn’t the way it’s playing out.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:10 am
I don’t care where he goes, as long as he goes. Then we can hire Brady as the OC.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:16 am
This is a good thing for the Bucs and for Leftwich. Gives him another year to prove himself and allows for a lot of continuity for the team overall.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:26 am
We may need a QB who can punt. The quick kick may be in the playbook. W/O Brady an Gronk we might add the slow finish to the slow start game plan. The Buc Pantry will run out of Bizkits.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:28 am
“Leftwich didn’t want to work with Jaguars personnel czar Trent Baalke. It was said Leftwich was pushing Cardinals executive Adrian Wilson as a candidate.”
So the black guy wants to work with the black guy, not with the white guy. Hmm.
February 3rd, 2022 at 10:41 am
I can see it now, Byron, when you’re down 2 with 1:20 left with one TO, what do you do? “That’s an easy one, I ask Tom.” OK, Byron, there are 4 minutes left in the half and it’s Bucs.ball with and opposing team getting the ball first in the second half, what do you do? “Well, I would toward Bruce and ask him but often Bruce would shrug his shoulders so I would just ask Tom, ya that’s what I would do.” OK, Byron last question, The week before your final playoff game, what method did you use to prepare your game plan? ” Well since we played them earlier in the season I really didn’t see the need to change anything so I went to the movies and prepared for interviews.” Ya but Bucs lost the first game. ” Yes but that’s on the players, like Bruce said, our plan was great.We had all the faith that Wells could easily fill in for Wirfs even with one leg. Hey he did it the week before.” Thanks Byron, we’ll get.back to. Could it just be he SUCKS!
February 3rd, 2022 at 11:01 am
No surprise they didn’t want Lefty. Neither do we. We know he sucks.
February 3rd, 2022 at 11:06 am
Superbowl without Brady and with Leftwich. Cue up the flying pigs.
Also, the dream of extra 3rd round picks? Glad we got the pigs cued up.
February 3rd, 2022 at 11:17 am
Everyone is down on Leftwich, but the experience he’s had working with TB12 has to be immeasurable. I’m glad he’s here working with Trask. I’m not into giving up picks for JG. I think you bring in Dalton or Bridgewater to compete with Trask and Gabbert. I think Dalton is more in line with BA’s offense.
I think the Rooney rule is awful. Forcing people to interview a minority is pathetic. It should be the best man for the job. And if a team sucks and they want to tank the last few games so they can get the players to compete in the future, I think that’s the owners prerogative. I don’t think he should have to pay a coach incentives to lose. I was mad at Winston for throwing the game winning TD in game 16. We ended up moving back 5 slots in the draft.
February 3rd, 2022 at 11:19 am
Good, no excuses when this coaching staff gets exposed.
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:18 pm
If the NFL was really serious about minority coaches they would do more than the Rooney rule. Minorities haven’t had the decades of favoritism to help them, so it may take them a while to catch up, to help things along the NFL could help them succeed. Some ideas:
Extra timeouts for minority head coaches
Extra challenges, or a “mulligan” if a challenge does not go their way
Automatic win if a minority coach gets to overtime
Automatic win in any playoff scenario tie breakers.
Expanded roster limits for minority coached teams.
I could go on and on, bottom line is the Rooney Rule is an empty joke, the NFL should step up and give Black coaches the affirmative action they deserve.
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:19 pm
BA4President I totally agree, especially with the whole Brian Flores and Hue Jackson situations
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Need the 3rd picks instead of BL.
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Are you serious Someguy? Change the game if you’re a minority coach? That’s a total insult. Isn’t that saying you’re not good enough so we’ll change to game to get you a win? I understand there aren’t many minority HC’s but there have been: Singletary, Flores, Cully, Lewis, Green, Shell, Dungy, Raheem etc and many assistants. I get the whole Flores issue but I blame the NFL, they put the Rooney rule in. That’s the problem, if you want equality then interview like everyone else and let your qualifications speak for themselves. If an organization is that myopic they are adverse to hiring minorities, it doesn’t sound like a place I wouldn’t want to hang my hat. In some cases it works in reverse. Julian Edleman will most likely never be in the HOF even though he has 3 SB rings, SB MVP and second only to Jerry Rice in playoff receptions. To summarize to stoop to their level by asking for more stand up for who you are and what you’ve achieved.
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:38 pm
@Listnfrmafar: Why is that an insult? Is it an insult when people get extra points on the SAT or other college entrance exams? Every college I went to did that. How about when people get promoted because of quotas? Pretty much every big company does that. What if we announced the VP of the country or the next Supreme Court justice had to be a Black Woman? We already did that and the world didn’t end.
The NFL keeps running ads and putting up web pages for social justice, so why shouldn’t they enact it the same way everyone else does?
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:44 pm
from what I’m hearing about the Jags overall, Leftwich might be wise to steer clear of this job. The owner is not a football guy in the least. You don’t want to be a HC just for the sake of being one. This franchise for now is doomed. I just feel sorry for the kid Lawence. Wish Bruce and Leftwich had him here in Tampa to develop. He’s gonna be on crutches there in Jville if he keeps taking those big hits.
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Maybe Arians is leaving after a season or two and one of them knows they will be the next head coach of the Bucs. That Jaguars job is hot garbage anyways no one is going to succeed there with that idiot owner.
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:04 pm
It seems like the best way to guarantee the coaching staff stays together is by having an all black staff!
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Someguy, I am not getting into this on this site but dude, that is the opposite of equality.
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:18 pm
@Listnfrmafar: Don’t know if you’ve heard, but equality is no longer the goal. Equity of outcome is the new goal, don’t ask me, ask anyone involved in any major social justice group, all of which are supported by the NFL.
I am just suggesting the NFL practice the ideas they fund and promote.
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Someguy, what your asking is for other to pay for what this countries forefathers did. When in fact slaves were bought and sold in Central and Western Africa then transported around to Europe and America. So why are your ancestors exonerated from all these discussions? Listen I’m on your side when it comes to repression of minorities and how some people treat other human beings is disgusting but I also feel the majority who were blinded by these issues have woken up and side with you that changes need to be made but to believe those that truly prejudice about race, sexual gender etc are not going to change and will eventually die off as many before them.
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Who cares what color you are…can you coach? Can you keep your coaches on page…can you change a bad franchise cause let’s be real on teams that need a coach are bad franchises…
Steelers situation don’t happen much
New Orleans is similar except they don’t have a winning qb…I imagine they get Bridgewater back to compete with the whiteboy who runs a lot.
Leaving Winston free to sign and we seen what he’s worth by how much the saints pay him…he knows are offenses n players..I say sign him for cheap and have him compete with Trask.
I became a Winston hater but I’m looking at the qb movements and cost…I’m thinking the smart move is create competition bring Winston back on a 2yr n 3rd yr option.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:05 pm
OMG Say it isn’t so. Lefty back for another year along with Bowles. OH NO!
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:07 pm
“If the NFL was really serious about minority coaches they would do more than the Rooney rule. Minorities haven’t had the decades of favoritism to help them, so it may take them a while to catch up, to help things along the NFL could help them succeed. Some ideas:
Extra timeouts for minority head coaches
Extra challenges, or a “mulligan” if a challenge does not go their way
Automatic win if a minority coach gets to overtime
Automatic win in any playoff scenario tie breakers.
Expanded roster limits for minority coached teams.
I could go on and on, bottom line is the Rooney Rule is an empty joke, the NFL should step up and give Black coaches the affirmative action they deserve.”
I must admit that made me laugh. thats funny. kudo’s
if you’re serious it’s…..what a stupid a$$ whiney biatch would say.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:23 pm
This tells me the rest of the league knows Brady brought the magic pixie dust and this coaching staff is just average at best.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:32 pm
It is a very bad look for all these black coaches going to interviews every year and never getting the job. Also to be here in 2022 with only 1 black head coach. Not going to discuss individuals but would like to see more success for black coaches.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:40 pm
I guess Mac Jones being drafted last year and Bilichek brought him up slowly, means the someone who wrote that above has been asleep his entire life.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:43 pm
SomeGuy, I agree 100% what happened to Flores and no doubt many others is unexcusable. The discovery aspect if his lawsuit should be very interesting. As far as Robert, he has issues beyond repair.
February 3rd, 2022 at 2:45 pm
JOE, I think they also watched Bowles in the Rams game..
So , Bucci will have his favorite coaches all back–Bucs have nothing to worry about now …..
February 3rd, 2022 at 3:37 pm
If the Bucs have to go with Kyle Trask and they end up in the Super Bowl then Leftwhich will be snapped up so fast (by a team needing a Head Coach) it will make your head spin. But we all know the likelyhood of that happening are slim and none and slim just walked out the door.
February 3rd, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Join the lawsuit!! If he can make anything out of Gabbert, or Trask he’ll punch his ticket. Might even be with the Bucs.
February 3rd, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Way too early to determine if he’s HC material. Arizona wasn’t his best work with Rosen. Came to Tampa with an above average Jameis and the INTs increased. Brady came in and anyone could give Brady pretty anything and he would be successful. If Jimmy G, Trask comes in and takes the offense even higher or the same level of play we’ve been getting then he should be considered next off season. Shame we don’t get the two 3rd round picks cause we definitely need them.
February 3rd, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Maybe the NFL should give us the picks because we are stck with Leftwich and Bowles.
Teams want to see what Leftwich can do without Brady, and well…they saw Bowles on national TV. So no picks for you!
February 3rd, 2022 at 5:41 pm
The sports radio people in Jax are saying that Tom Brady called Shad Khan to endorse Leftwich for the head coaching job with the Jags. Even a call from the GOAT doesn’t work with the owners.
February 4th, 2022 at 4:43 am
Tom was doing his best to do one last service to the Bucs…