Is Tom Brady The Key For Todd Monken?
January 28th, 2023
Coaching carousel intrigue.
Joe stated on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” that it would be surprising if Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken would be interested in the Bucs job, short of the Bucs offering him all sorts of concessions in a deal-he-can’t-refuse contract.
Way, way too often, the little tin gods/control freaks that run college football programs refuse to let their assistants speak on the record to the Fourth Estate unless they are ordered to.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart let Monken out of his media cage because he had to during the college football playoffs — Monken, per The Athletic, quipped since he isn’t allowed to talk much he had a lot to get off his chest. Monken said he was happy in Athens working for Smart and it would take a special situation to lure him away.
This is what Jonathan Williams of SI.com quoted Monken saying just 11 days ago about a potential new gig.
“When you have a good job and they pay me a lot of money, you have to be careful,” said Monken. “The grass isn’t always greener, and money isn’t everything.” The Georgia offensive coordinator is currently the highest-paid assistant coach in all of college football.
“Now, I value getting paid. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t do this for nothing, but the reality is you have to be careful because your happiness is in winning. It’s about winning. It’s the fight song in the locker room. That’s what it’s about,” said Monken. He also went on to say that he would rather be a part of a winning program in Alaska than a 4-8 team in a city like San Diego.
Joe knows Monken to be a stand-up guy. So if Joe is taking him at his word here, and Monken is no con artist, it raises questions.
* Quarterback: What have the Bucs told Monken about Tom Brady’s plans? Joe cannot imagine Monken would give up his cake job in Athens to coach Kyle Trask as the Bucs starter — unless the team has something else in mind (#CollapseForCaleb??). Mike Garafolo of NFL Network claims the Bucs are asking coaches how they would craft an offense for Brady. So might the get another veteran quarterback to take over?
* Plan B if Tom Brady Leaves/Retires: If a veteran quarterback is out of the question, do the Bucs plan to draft a QB, one Monken prefers? Of course this could cost the Bucs an arm and a leg since they currently sit at No. 19 in this spring’s NFL draft. Drafting a quarterback would likely buy Monken two years minimum.
* Salary: How many zeros is Team Glazer floating? For example, in 2021, just after the Bucs won the Super Bowl, Team Glazer reworked Todd Bowles’ contract as the Bucs’ defensive coordinator for three years likely around $3,000,000 annually. Monken currently makes $2 million per year at Georgia.
* Job security: Monken, 56, if he chose, could probably stick around Georgia for another three or four years, pocket another $6-8 million, and then hang at his favorite watering hole the rest of his life. Many Bucs fans, angry with Todd Bowles, are quit to point out how Team Glazer has little patience for coaches with losing records. Though Bowles led the Bucs to a division title in his first season running the franchise, the Bucs finished 8-10 with an embarrassing loss in the playoffs on Monday Night Football. So this offensive coordinator job could be a lame-duck job. Does Monken want to risk everything he has in Athens for a possible one-and-done season?
The above questions are why Joe was surprised when Jenna Laine of ESPN reported Monken was to interview with the Bucs next week. The Bucs will have to make one helluva sales pitch to get Monken to leave Georgia, assuming Bowles likes Monken.
It’s not like the Bucs have a young Justin Herbert on the roster to work with like Los Angeles has in their OC opening.
January 28th, 2023 at 8:09 am
Monken has had good offenses when he has been the main guy with the keys.
I wouldn’t mind him but there are a lot of good guys out there. Unfortunately, there are only one or two types that are Andy Reid’s.
We saw the difference this year from Bruce Arians to Bryon Leftwich.
I have no doubt that Monken is better than Leftwich. Will he be as good as Arians? Doubtful.
January 28th, 2023 at 8:29 am
Great article. So many of the things I’ve been trying to say, in a much better way. I guess that just shows one of the difference between we amateurs and the professionals.
January 28th, 2023 at 8:49 am
Why would Todd Monken leave?, it would be because of the money just like he said. I do not care who the offense cordinator is if you do not have the players no offense will work. Mr. Monken, know the N.F.L. which stands for “Not for long”.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Monken would be a fool to leave Georgia for the NFL, unless it’s a 5yr HC gig at 7-10mm per year guaranteed. He has a dream job in a dominant program. I don’t see this happening.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:02 am
Monken was heard saying as he left OBF … call me this time next year!
January 28th, 2023 at 9:09 am
I wonder if the glazers are smart enough to start interviewing coaches for next year when they finally can Bowles. It would be a real change to fire a coach with a replacement already lined up. Let Bowles coach this year as we settle out salary cap situation. Then bring in a real head coach when the franchise is out of the financial pain.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:16 am
Conte … or bring in a HC this year to begin establishing his squad and system so this time next year everyone will have a working relationship
January 28th, 2023 at 9:27 am
Monken brings valuable input on college players, maybe we even draft their QB in the 2nd or 3rd. He’s got intel on mayfield as well, there’s a lot of angles to a Monken hire that can be beneficial. I’ll roll the dice with Mayfield over Gabbert, if Trask can beat out Mayfield, even better. Gabbert should be gone, he’s done nothing but hold back the development of Trask due to Arians loyalty to “his guys”.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:29 am
Poor Conte. Seeing him get rocked in that game a few years ago. You knew we were seeing the end of an NFL career in about a 5 second period. Not exactly the way you want to end a career. Piscatelli. Work out warrior who just couldn’t understand the strategies and intricacies involved in playing DB. Rocket science, I guess.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:29 am
The answer to the question in this article is “no.” I’ve been hesitant to opine but I think I’m finally ready. Time to move on from the goat. The Bucs are not 2 or 3 pieces away from another championship. More like 7 or 8. Not happening, so bending over backwards for 1 more year for Brady is not wise. And Romano had a great point in his article in last Sunday’s Times as well…don’t go chasing another high cost QB free agent either. Won’t change the fact that we are too many pieces short of a complete puzzle.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:33 am
Dungy
I hope that the G’Boyz are watching the games tomorrow!
That is what championship rosters look like.
They probably won’t and don’t
Hence their scratch off mentality
It’s time for them to sell the team.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:34 am
Bobby M: If you’ve read what the Joe’s wrote about practice, scrimmages, watched preseason games, and watched him vs. Atlanta, you’d know that Trask did nothing to be the 2nd string guy. I see a lot of people making excuses for Trask, but from everything I’ve read and seen, I don’t see what he’s done to make the team, let alone start in the NFL.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:39 am
Please draft a mobile quarterback.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:39 am
Guess I should change my name and come back like all the rest do.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:39 am
One thing baffles me why haven’t the Bucs tried to trade Trask it seems like their always looking for someone else. It makes no sense at all.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:41 am
I do wonder what the Joes will be beating their drumstick for if and when we do “(#CollapseForCaleb??)” and Caleb sucks bollocks in the NFL. Maybe one more round with Manzel? He looks like a fellow Bromossa type.
I am optimistic about a potential Monken OC hire. Who would not be after watching another season of slow-motion Leftwich and his famous first and up the middle for negative yards? I do see it will be a difficult hire, Georgia has set itself up to be a yearly contender in the SEC championship game and National title game conversation. Very difficult to walk away from that.
I am with another poster here in that I am a Buccaneer fan and a Dawgs fan.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:46 am
JinMich…. add to that Nobody… here or on any other site, have seen anything other than what Joe has said about their perception of Trask. Frankly, hope he sets the league on fire if he gets a starting opportunity. But we have seen nothing to lead us to believe that will happen, up to this point.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:48 am
Lets go. Trask has shown little to nothing to this point. Could we get a sixth or seventh round pick for him? Don’t know. But likely no more than that, at best.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:48 am
Mark2001 this sounds like a Jerry Glanville quote “Frankly, hope he sets the league on fire if he gets a starting opportunity. But we have seen nothing to lead us to believe that will happen, up to this point.” in his perception of Farve
January 28th, 2023 at 9:51 am
#CollapseForCaleb
Can someone explain to me EXACTLY what this means? Are we talking about not giving a spit about next year? Are we talking about LOSING ON PURPOSE for a 50/50 gamble on some raw meat out of college? Are we talking about getting the #1 draft pick for another Fameis Jameis?
Sean Payton accused the Bucs of “losing on purpose” the final game of that horrid season. And indeed it looked that way. That left a little bit of hurl in the back of my throat. I do not EVER LOSE ON PURPOSE!!! Claiming losing is for utimately the way to winning is like effing for virginity.
I’m not a Kyle Trask fan nor hater. I have doubts based on the obvious opinion of the current coaching staff that has seem him everyday in practice. I’d prefer Baker Mayfield, a proven winner when given the chance, to some “college stud”.
But if the Bucs roll with Trask I’m ok. I’m not against draft another QB in any round. I am totally disgusted by even the thought of losing on purpose for draft position.
What I’m not OK with is EVER rooting for any team or organization that LOSES ON PURPOSE!!! I do not care what talent comes to camp next year I want a “Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead” attitude. We could have used that attitude this season instead of whining about all the torpedoes!
January 28th, 2023 at 9:52 am
Letsbucinggo Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 9:39 am
One thing baffles me why haven’t the Bucs tried to trade Trask it seems like their always looking for someone else. It makes no sense at all.
^^^^^^^^
Could it be that Trask has no value among the other NFL teams? If a QB is that slow, wouldn’t you want him to have a cannon for an arm?
Mark2001: Are you gonna hold your breath waiting for Trask to set the NFL on fire? Talk is cheap.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:54 am
mark2001 Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 9:48 am
Lets go. Trask has shown little to nothing to this point. Could we get a sixth or seventh round pick for him? Don’t know. But likely no more than that, at best.
^^^^^^^
You’re probably right.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:55 am
Agree with MacAttack. GA is building a dynasty ala Alabama. Monken who’s in his late 50s, would be nuts to go back into the NFL coaching circus carousel. Highest paid OC in college football and that’s only going to go up. Too good of a position to leave, highly respected, loved by the GA fans. Nice place to end your career 10-15 years from now. 2 mil per year ain’t chump change. Stay in the good life, man you got it pretty darn good right where you are.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:57 am
SB~LV Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 9:16 am
Conte … or bring in a HC this year to begin establishing his squad and system so this time next year everyone will have a working relationship
SB – do you think a new coach would want the 10-15 losses incurred in 2023 on his record? I wonder if that is a concern.
January 28th, 2023 at 10:00 am
Give trask a shot. Yea maybe he didn’t beat out gabbert but who knows if it wasn’t because of just plain experience n knowledge of the system or maybe loyalty. When you have receivers like ME13 n CG14 maybe trask can show out with a competent OC. give him a running game to and who knows but we won’t until he’s given a chance n playing in the last few minutes of the ATL game where they were trying to save players for the playoffs ISNT a chance
January 28th, 2023 at 10:10 am
1. I’m pretty sure Trask will get a shot. Probably get a chance to play with the 1st and 2nd stringers in the preseason, and preseason games. And if no one has shown a clear cut hold on the number one position, into the season, probably then. And at that point, it is put up or shut up time. And if he isn’t the starter by the end of this 2023 season? We will probably move on. As I remember, he will only have one more year on his rookie contract anyway.
January 28th, 2023 at 10:16 am
Question for zthe Glazers
Q. Why are the Bucs like Cinderella?
A. Because they have a Pumpkin for a Coach.
January 28th, 2023 at 10:24 am
I’d be fine rolling with Gabbert OR Trask next season –qb play isn’t going to have much affect one way or the other on the kind of offense Bowles wants. Think Tannehill and the Titans. Not bringing in a high-priced free agent would let us keep some people like Dean, and give us time to shed the Brady cap hit
January 28th, 2023 at 10:34 am
‘your happiness is in winning. It’s about winning.’
WELL, ‘Toilet’ Bowles putrid way of running a team is going to prevent that SO, Monken likely showed his hand with that statement!
January 28th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Trading Trask will get you a pair of cleats and a plain hotdog in return.
January 28th, 2023 at 10:41 am
Hmm. No chile?
January 28th, 2023 at 10:45 am
Why is there any talk of money in this conversation. I get that nobody wants to work for free but Moncken has it correct. He’s set for life financially already!!!
He now wants to finish his career on an up note with a WINNER. That will be the driving force behind his decision. Secondary considerations will be what protection does he have if Bowles lays an egg a 2nd year in a row. How about a simple promise he’s next in line if that happens?
Meanwhile I’m genuinely curious if guys here can name an amount of money that would satisfy them. There are only so many houses, cars, bling etc one can enjoy. Do posters here have a limit on what they believe is necessary for a GREAT retirement?
January 28th, 2023 at 10:49 am
I’ll answer that question about enough for a coach/player to retire.
I do not know the amount but former Boston great and 2nd all time winningest coach Don Nelson earned but he’s enjoying a GREAT retirement.!!!
He has a home on Maui overlooking the Ocean with privacy and the trade winds and sunshine. OH…and he also has a spectacular field of various strains of MJ that he cultivates as a “hobby”. Yes he does enjoy the fruits or should I say the buds of his labor. LMAO
January 28th, 2023 at 10:51 am
TWO chicks, SAME time! (envision Lawrence from Office Space)
January 28th, 2023 at 10:57 am
I hope Monken takes the job. Do I think he will? Probably not.
January 28th, 2023 at 11:09 am
Beeej
LOL I get your desire but it’s overrated.
January 28th, 2023 at 11:16 am
Yes let’s base or oc on a 46 year old qb. Smart move. What could possibly go wrong??
January 28th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Well Knuckn…we could base our OC on a untested third year player that has yet to start a game, or even look good in a preseason game. What could possibly go wrong?
January 28th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
I could see him leaving if the BUCS draft Stenson Bennet
January 28th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
while speculating, an equally good question is todd monken the key to brady?
i can imagine brady wanting to comeback for an offensive potential as diverse and potent as georgia’s.
maybe two yrs w brady, drafting stetson sitting behind tom for two yrs.
build the offensive and defensive lines & olb’s. (if you want to keep devin white, move him to olb and let him rush the passer to see if he can win some one-on-ones on the outside—i digress)
stetson bennett could probably be there in later rounds ala purdy … and he would already know the offense.
who knows what bucs or monken are thinking.
January 28th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
If Trask is not ready to be given a shot then 1) GM SUCKs when it comes to evaluating talent or 2) coaches SUCK at getting young players ready to play.
January 28th, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Monken also interviewed in Baltimore. If he’s offered that job, I can’t see him picking Tampa unless there are some serious incentives, not just financially.
January 28th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Can not see Monken leaving Georgia for Tampa. I think he is just going through the motions to potentially use this job offer against Georgia come new contract time.
January 28th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
If he did a good job at OC and Bowles failed next year (as most would predict) Monken would have a good shot at head coach
January 28th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Trask defeated Georgia and Stenson Bennet in college by a high score for those of you Trask haters who wants Stenson Bennet. Trask will be Bucs 2023 starting QB.
January 28th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
We are interviewing a LOT of possible OCs and haven’t been successful in hiring one yet. I do hope Todd is not the only interviewer of these applicants because I don’t think his opinion on a new OC will prove fruitful. I also feel strongly that Brady is the best QB we could possibly have, this year, but I don’t really know his relationship with Bowles. It may be impossible to keep him here. All this remains to be seen, and our suggestions probably fall on deaf ears if even getting that close.
January 28th, 2023 at 3:23 pm
May I ask one other question? Who ever went back to a job they were fired from some years ago, when they had two or three other good paying job opportunities? And if nothing else could make a good living staying where they are? Frankly, under those circumstances, I’d say our chances are likely at the bottom of the list of choices.
January 28th, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Crickett Baker Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Haven’t been successful at hiring one yet???
What in the h3LL are you talking about? You don’t just hire the first one you like. Jeezus. They’ll interview all the candidates they’re interested in, and then they’ll narrow it to a few and do second interviews, and only then will they hire a guy. What the hell do you think the timetable is? Seems to me the interview process is proceeding as expected.
January 28th, 2023 at 5:05 pm
sasquatch. I agree that the timing isn’t a problem. I think, as I”ve said, the problem will be getting a good, experienced, one that is willing to work under Coach Bowles, a guy that is on thin ice, for a job that might be a one year gig. And then he is out in the wind with a mark of failure on his illustrious career. These guys are generally bright. Many want to have a shot at a HC position. And you don’t do that buy adding failures to your resume.
January 28th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
If Monken accepts the OC job it would mean the following to me. Yes, he obtained great remuneration. More importantly all options (i.e. plans A through n) were essentially presented to him. He decided that the situation career wise was sufficient for him to be happy to take it on. He got the “deal-he-can’t-refuse”.
January 28th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
I am with you all the way stpetebucfan! Any person who advocates “tanking” is not a sports fan and especailly is not a true Buccaneer fan either.
Go Bucs!
January 28th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Joe, Monken is also interviewing for Ravens OC gig…So, maybe he feels now is best chance to get back to the NFL lifestyle & not have to deal with NIL prima dona HS QB’s every yr.
January 28th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Whats the better odds Brady signing with the Bucs or Jackson signing with the Ravens. I am sure the Ravens have a backup plan I am not so sure about the Bucs.
January 28th, 2023 at 7:12 pm
If I was a 50 ish college OC and wanted to return to the NFL who would you rather work for Todd ” the backstabber” Bowles or Superbowl winning coach that OC left on good terms John Harbaugh.
January 28th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
One of the major considerations is does a coach want to work with raw talent and sometimes crazy kids…or with PROFESSIONAL who have their own set of issues.
Some coaches like Saban dominate in college and suck in the pros…others flourish in the pros and can’t stand to deal with a bunch of kids.
January 28th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Joe Swanson Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Explain how Todd Bowles is a backstabber. Because he fired someone?
I can’t wait to hear what you conjure up for this one.
January 28th, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Letsbucinggo Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Why do people assume that the Bucs don’t plan for contingencies and other teams do? There’s no evidence of that. Separate issue is whether you like their contingency plan. I trust our front office as much as any in the league to do future planning.
What I see is a lot of reflexive negativity from people who just assume everything the Bucs do is effed because they can get other people to complain in unison. Some of us aren’t buying it.
January 28th, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Monken was just fired from here 3 years ago. Clyde Christiansen was just blocked from leaving last year. If Monken had been our OC last year would he have fixed things? He didn’t even run the O when he was OC here because Dirk did. Stope the insanity!
January 28th, 2023 at 8:46 pm
Brett Buell Says:
January 28th, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Monken was fired as part of a staff firing. That has happened to every coach in the NFL. He wasn’t the reason for the firing.
Also, Monken was the playcaller in his last year here and the offense was pretty explosive. It was the defense that let us down.
Monken has had explosive offenses at all his college stops as well.
He’s as qualified as any of the other candidates we’ve interviewed. He’s also got a great reputation as an NFL assistant.
But keep talking out of your ass.
January 28th, 2023 at 8:53 pm
If Brady leaves the Bucs, isn’t it entirely possible that the Bucs go after Baker Mayfield – Monken’s QB when he was the OC for the 2019 Browns?
January 28th, 2023 at 8:56 pm
^ Hope not.
Just because he coached him, doesn’t mean he likes him.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
Why would Monken leave Georgia, where he has (what I think is) a more satisfying job and much more support achieving goals? Who would leave such a position to dive into a mess—one that is still continuing, and swirling downward, not even at the bottom yet?
Between Bowles and the cap, and the problem at QB, no OC would thrive. Especially given that Bowles is the HC, and the man who will dictate and influence every key factor.
January 28th, 2023 at 9:12 pm
Monken could vouch for Stenson Bennett over Baker Mayfield….who knows?
January 28th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
@steele
Why would Monken leave Georgia, where he has (what I think is) a more satisfying job and much more support achieving goals? Who would leave such a position to dive into a mess—one that is still continuing, and swirling downward, not even at the bottom yet?
tom brady
January 29th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Perhaps he likes the idea of living on the beach. 🤷♂️
January 29th, 2023 at 11:05 pm
Todd using Bucs to get a raise
LOLOLOLOL