Brian Johnson Is Still Out There
February 15th, 2023
Eagles QB coach Brian Johnson.
It ain’t over till it’s over.
For Bucs fans who cling to the four-letter word that is “hope,” well, Joe guesses you are embracing that word right now.
A guy a lot of Bucs fans want as the team’s new offensive coordinator who also interviewed with the Bucs twice is the current quarterbacks coach of the NFC champion Eagles, Brian Johnson.
(No, not that Brian Johnson in Sarasota!)
Compared to the gigs Johnson is linked to, the Bucs might have to really overpay Johnson to get him to Tampa Bay. Johnson is rumored to be promoted to Eagles offensive coordinator because the former Eagles offensive coordinator, Shane Steichen, took the Colts head coaching gig yesterday.
And there is a belief Johnson could tag along with Steichen to be the Colts offensive coordinator.
One reason Johnson could be a really good fit in Tampa is his past with Bucs backup quarterback Kyle Trask, who some believe will be handed the keys to the offense to replace recently retired Tom Brady. Johnson was Trask’s offensive coordinator at Florida when he blossomed into one of college football’s best quarterbacks in 2020.
Of course, if you are Johnson, do you stick in Philly and coach Jalen Hurts, already a proven commodity?
Or do you go to Indianapolis where the Colts are expected to draft a quarterback early with the No. 4 overall pick?
If that happens, Johnson is likely to get a lot of job security and if the rookie signal-caller does anything, Johnson will likely get his own head coaching job.
Or, does Johnson go to work with Trask, green as grass, for a coach who could be on lame-duck status with a team shedding salaries and bodies to get under the cap? And a team likely suffering a losing season in 2023?
Remember: The Bucs had a losing season with Tom Brady in 2022 in a terrible division. Now imagine what the Bucs will do after they shave salaries (i.e. talent) without Brady.
The Bucs might have to throw a boatload of Team Glazer loot in Johnson’s lap to get him to pass on the Eagles and Colts.
February 15th, 2023 at 4:08 am
Getting my hopes up, Joe. Then the last few sentences came up and logically, the Bucs really aren’t that hot of a commodity unfortunately.
February 15th, 2023 at 4:42 am
Harold Goodwin will be your next OC because it’s clear to everyone that Bowles is dead man walking and nobody from outside this organization is going to upend their lives just to be let go next year after the inevitable house cleaning when we go 3-14 with Trask.
February 15th, 2023 at 5:39 am
Is it possible the Bucs were waiting for Bieniemy to be free? OC with the very real hope of finally moving up to HC if Bowles has another terrible year might appeal to him. His contract with KC is up, and Reid says he’s not retiring…
February 15th, 2023 at 5:39 am
There isn’t enough money in North America. Get real.
February 15th, 2023 at 7:05 am
I have to believe he is colts bound
February 15th, 2023 at 7:09 am
We want this guy for OC!
i think it will happen!
the AC/DC symmetry is cool!
February 15th, 2023 at 7:14 am
Brian we have Bern’s Steakhouse baby!
February 15th, 2023 at 7:18 am
If Brian turns us down go ask Dan Mullen. He’s a jerk but can put up points:
– OC for 2006 and 2008 college national champions, Florida Gators.
– HC for Dak Prescott at Mississippi State.
– HC for Kyle Trask’s two sensantional seasons at Florida, where, with no defense, Trask lost to eventual national champion Alabama in a wild 2020 SEC Championship Game shootout for the ages, 52-46.
February 15th, 2023 at 7:26 am
I like the idea of Bieniemy. He needs to work for a defensive coach like Bowles, or Riveria to get out of Andy Reeds shadow. My guess is he chooses Washington. Brian Johnson also would look better working for a defensive coach. Would he get the same credit following his boss to Indy? Whoever they do hire it can’t come soon enough.
February 15th, 2023 at 7:29 am
This team went from the penthouse in 2021 to the outhouse 2 years later and everyone in the league knows it. I’m starting to get the feeling that the only people taking this OC job will be washed up coaches wanting one last chance to prove themselves or under qualified coaches who would never otherwise get the chance to be an OC just yet.
February 15th, 2023 at 7:30 am
If assistants are normally signed to two year contracts, the Bucs are still on the hook to pay him next year regardless on if the coaching staff is blown up next year right?
February 15th, 2023 at 7:33 am
When a head coach fires his OC after a losing record and an uninspiring performance in a home playoff game, every coaching candidate knows that guy is a dead man walking.
Why come here for a likely one year gig when you can go to Indy with a friend who has at least 3 years to make it work?
February 15th, 2023 at 7:34 am
Why would Bienemy want to leave Mahomes for this place?
February 15th, 2023 at 7:35 am
Lol, if you think Bienemy is going from the chiefs to the bucs in any circumstance, then you had one too many gravity hits this morning. Might be one of the most delusional posts I’ve seen on this website in 10 years
February 15th, 2023 at 7:38 am
TDS. I like that idea it’s a great senerio but 1 it’s already 3 days after SB and would Bowles want a guy on staff that he’s know could replace him underless the Glazers themselves are pushing the issue. However TDS I love that idea
February 15th, 2023 at 7:47 am
Why would Bieniemy come here? If he turns our offense around he’ll get a head gig in one season. If he stays with the Chiefs it’ll be Reed, and Mahomes that get all the credit, he’ll never get a HC job staying there. Help an offense improve after losing Tom Brady will get him noticed. So maybe take a hit from the grav, and open your mind.
February 15th, 2023 at 8:01 am
Joe has made a great case for how this position is not desirable.
When the best case is you might earn a promotion if your boss gets fired…..that’s not good.
Even the “no state income tax” hasn’t been brought up.
Nope…..the best prospects are those who are desperate for a promotion and want OC on their resume……there are plenty of them……and maybe we’ll get lucky.
February 15th, 2023 at 8:05 am
Hey Joe did you shoot your shot at Rachel Watson yet?
February 15th, 2023 at 8:20 am
Bieniemy is not coming here. If he doesn’t leave for a HC job, why would he leave a guy gathering rings for a guy that has not starting experience in the NFL? Makes no sense to even mention his name.
February 15th, 2023 at 8:37 am
Dan Mullen would be perfect; first he taught Brian Johnson and 2nd he would be cool with one year to tighten up the offense and if Bowles gets canned, Mullen can get a job in college in 5 seconds
February 15th, 2023 at 8:38 am
As for the “original” I attended a Billy Joel/Elton John concert some years ago at Amalie.
When I worked in radio we would have referred to those artists as “Adult Contempory” “Top 40” but not hard rock…ala AC/DC. Brian Johnson showed up to watch the guys and at the end of the show they brought him out on stage.
They broke our “Highway to Hell” and the place went nuckin futs! Still have that on my workout MP3.
As to the Brian Johnson football coach…Money will not be a major factor.
People keep blasting the Glazers here…why I’m not sure. There was a period of a few years when they leveraged their arses off to purchase ManU. When the economy dipped the Glazers really had to scramble to keep all their financial balls in the air. It led to a period where they didn’t have the money to spend on the Bucs.
Their financial acumen turned out to be EXCELLENT. They are now ready to sell ManU. for 6 BILLION $$$. Once they turned the corner and passed the financial precipice the Glazers have been anything but cheap. Can you say 50 million OVER the cap. They have backed the Bucs financially, now that they can, as well as any owners in the NFL.
SIX BILLION!!! They can pay an OC whatever they want and in fairness the Glazers deserve major props for spending their money once the ManU investment was out of the woods.
February 15th, 2023 at 8:38 am
No hopeium here. We are too far down the wrong road and they will not turn back.
February 15th, 2023 at 8:47 am
NO COACH IS COMING HERE! GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD JOE!
February 15th, 2023 at 8:51 am
This guy is probably going to be the next OC in Philly. Why would he want a dead end job with “dead man walking” Bowles?
Don’t get me wrong. This guy would be one of my top choices currently and would love to have him but I just don’t see it happening.
February 15th, 2023 at 9:16 am
I believe any highly competent young qb coach who is stuck in that position because of that high level of competence would jump at the chance to coach with the Bucs , first, if you are on a team that was just in the Super Bowl, there’s no room to prove yourself , you are at the top of the mountain and the only thing you are expected to do is stay there, to maintain what was already done, there is really only one way to go from the mountain top , and that’s down . Now with the Bucs , We have been to the mountain top and are in the midst of experiencing the inevitable slide, but, We still have a lot of talent , all it needs is to be tweaked a bit , a little added to , a little replaced, and for the right young coach , given the chance to excel , it could be a career enhancing breakout opportunity, and they would be given the time and increased responsibilities to prove themselves at advanced positions as long as they are moving in the right direction, climbing back up that mountain.
February 15th, 2023 at 9:33 am
I don’t think Johnson has ever called plays, at least not at the major college or NFL level. May not be ready. On the other hand, given our likely near future, might be a good laboratory for him.
February 15th, 2023 at 9:33 am
No one that’s up and coming is going to come to this lame duck staff it’ll be either a nobody or a re tread that’s on his last chance
February 15th, 2023 at 9:37 am
Bern’s is way over-hyped.
February 15th, 2023 at 9:55 am
I like this guy. He would be worth whatever they need to pay. This is a rare case where the guy fits our offense, not the other way around.
February 15th, 2023 at 10:18 am
Leave a Championship team to come to Toilet Bowles Team
Hahahah😂😂😂
Joe whatever you are taking is differently illegal and not good for you
That maybe your dream but his nightmare
February 15th, 2023 at 10:20 am
Money is no issue. If the Glazers want him, they will pay to get him.
February 15th, 2023 at 10:21 am
I would love to say his decision will be an enditement of Trask’s perceived ability.
However the lame duck head coach and lack of job security would be a bigger factor, IMO.
February 15th, 2023 at 10:28 am
If we need to overpay, we should overpay for Eric Bieniemy.
February 15th, 2023 at 10:40 am
Joe trying to scare Buc fans. One minute he says we should spend capital and bring in Carr the next that we can’t really afford Johnson. He says Johnson would get security with a rookie QB but would not get the same consideration with a green QB in Trask. ..smh
I’m scared lol
February 15th, 2023 at 10:41 am
LOL at Joe put up a photo of Brian in Gators gear. FSU fans freaking out in 5 … 4 … 3 …
February 15th, 2023 at 10:48 am
I said it two days ago, Dan Mullen. He coached four quarterbacks in college that played in the NFL. He adapts his offense to fit the strength of each quarterback. He didn’t succeed at Florida because he couldn’t recruit well. He works for ESPN/ABC, sign him now.
February 15th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Is this breaking news the Johnson has interviewed with the Bucs twice? This has not been reported. It hasn’t been announced on the Bucs website like all the others.
February 15th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Somebody is smoking Whacky Terbacky.
The ONLY thing Tampa has better than Philly or Indy is the weather.
February 15th, 2023 at 11:52 am
@German: in today’s PC/Woke NFL, Bienemy is radioactive based on past off-field issues. No way Darcy Glazier would ever approve.
February 15th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Marine Buc Says:
February 15th, 2023 at 8:51 am
This guy is probably going to be the next OC in Philly. Why would he want a dead end job with “dead man walking” Bowles?
I agree with this thought Marine Buc.
My only hope would be that Philly offers him 1 million or 1.2 million a year and the Bucs come up with 2.5 million per year and 2 or 3 year guarantee?
Because that money certainly could make a difference.
February 15th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Like some others, I cannot for the life of me figure out why the Bucs have not interviewed Eric Bieniemy. He has to leave KC if he wants to become a head coach in the near future and what better place than one where the head coach is on thin ice?
The Bucs interviewed Bieniemy for the head coaching job that ultimately went to Arians.
Why assume that Kyle Trask is going to be the QB? There are still plenty of scenarios that involve the Bucs signing an experienced veteran instead of Kyle Trask – someone the coaching staff has intimated is a slow learner (the LAST thing you want when bringing in a new OC).
February 15th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Maybe back when the Bucs interviewed Eric Bieniemy they decided that he was not head coach material. That being said, I wish they would have seen that in Todd Bowles.
February 15th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
hope is not a strategy.
February 15th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Did we win our two super Bowles due to spectacular
coaching?
Five hall of famers on the 2002 team and GOAT in 2020 with a stacked oline and defense.
Our oline was dstroyed and the defense regressed. Leftwich is just a convenient scape goat.
We knew this would happen when we signed Tom. No OC is going to be our savior.
Suffer and rebuild.
February 15th, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Agree Mullen might be the way to go. Gives him a chance to redeem his name and has vast experience with teaching young quaterbacks
February 15th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
I’m still waiting for Joe to back up his claim that Johnson has already interviewed with the Bucs twice. To my knowledge, he’s interviewed zero times.
Is Joe breaking news here or was that totally made up out of thin air?