Alex Van Pelt May Return To Tampa Bay
January 29th, 2024
Veteran QB coach Alex Van Pelt.
UPDATED: A former Bucs quarterbacks coach is interviewing with the team today. That’s the word from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Alex Van Pelt, the former offensive coordinator of the Browns and Bills, is in town this morning (Bucs types aren’t in Mobile?) to interview for the vacant offensive coordinator position.
Van Pelt, 53, last was with the Bucs as Josh Freeman’s position coach in 2010-11. Then 22-year-old Freeman threw 25 touchdowns and 6 interceptions for the 10-6 Bucs in 2010.
Between 2014-2023 Van Pelt, at different teams, was position coach for Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton and the last three seasons with the Browns.
Yes, he also coached Baker Mayfield.
He called the plays for Mayfield when the Browns rolled the Steelers 48-37 in the playoffs three seasons ago. Joe has read that they had a good relationship.
Perhaps that familiarity is why Van Pelt got the interview. Nothing on his resume really jumps out other than his 11 years as an NFL quarterback and he worked one year with Zac Taylor in Cincinnati (before the team drafted Joe Burrow).
January 29th, 2024 at 9:16 am
We could certainly do worse….
January 29th, 2024 at 9:16 am
It feels like Bowles has one interview question for OC candidates: “are you willing to work with Baker?”
Zach Robinson didn’t even sit down for the interview before accepting another job. Canales bolted as soon as he could. I don’t think most OC candidates are excited about having a so-so QB forced on them.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:19 am
And Bowles is still a hot seat HC. No matter how hard pro-Bowles-Joe flails and tries to convince us otherwise.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:19 am
I’d rather have AVP than the first-time names that are being throw around. We could do much worse than him, honestly
January 29th, 2024 at 9:23 am
Some fans do a lot of assuming on this site..whoever thought Robinson would come here is fooling themselves. Robinson turned down other teams as well, most of the times coaches come in package deals, I’m sure Raheem and him already discussed that. Also, why wouldn’t Canales not take the chance to coach his own team, isn’t that the goal of most coaches??? Some of you all make no sense and just say things just to say them.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:23 am
hoping they get a staffer from one of the playoff teams, we need a coach that worked under Shanahan, Reid, McVay or Campbell. All had high scoring offenses.
The Ravens offense was dismal in front of a fired up crowd. How bad was it to be a Raven fan yesterday?
January 29th, 2024 at 9:23 am
We need a billboard “Fire Bowles”
January 29th, 2024 at 9:26 am
Another thing, some teams are way better than others at maintaining stability. The better managed teams understand that there will be bad seasons but they stay the course. It seems like some fans just want to constantly move the goalpost when it comes to Bowles and will never be satisfied.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:31 am
At least the Browns had a good rushing attack.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:43 am
Think he would be a good hire. Like that he has called plays and has worked with Baker. No doubt Licht has gotten some Intel on him from Baker.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Nobody is moving the goalposts for Bowles except the pro-Bowles crowd. He continues to make idiotic game management decisions. Right down to the final play of the season.
He somehow pulled out of the mid-season tailspin to punch a playoff ticket in the worst NFL division, then he beat a PHI team that had already booked offseason vacation plans. Not that impressive. But, a playoff birth and win buys him another season. No argument about that from me. However, that ONLY buys him one season. He’s still on the hot seat.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:47 am
He’s been around a variety of QBs and different offensive schemes, maybe he’ll bring something new to the Bucs offense.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Bowels overcame alot this season. This team was supposed ro be a bottom feeder-dumpster fire. Which one of you haters made that much progress at work in 4 months? He changed things up and put boneheads in there place and took some chances. Bowels isn’t going anywhere unless Bucco Bruce Arians says so.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Be lucky to be 500 next year. NFC south teams will be improved, with their new coaches. Another 1st place schedule. AND a lousy pass defense coordinator will make the team struggle.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Van Pelt would be a decent hire. Aaron Rogers loved the guy and was pretty hacked off when Packers let VP go in 2017?
January 29th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Now we’re supposed to care about Karen Rodgers’ opinions?
January 29th, 2024 at 9:56 am
I like that Jerrod Johnson-Lions… it seems he schemed the middle of the field always. Seemed like it was wide open all year for the Lions, especially against us those 2 games!!! Living in Bills land Van Pelt would also be a nice choice, Go Bucs!!!
January 29th, 2024 at 9:57 am
I’d think his opinion is valuable, why wouldn’t it be?
January 29th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Tombs, it’s important to understand that realist has been and always will be a loser troll.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:04 am
Wow, I’m happy Todd Bowles has so many people who want to be his OC 🙂 He gets his pick of the litter
January 29th, 2024 at 10:24 am
To me and this is just my opinion, don’t know about others, Van Pelt is not that intriguing. I do like the resume of J Peetz but again thats just my opinion and opinion are like rear ends, everybody has one
January 29th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Anyone watch the video of Baker Mayfield calling Freddie Kitchens an idiot.
Pretty sure, he won’t be on the list.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:29 am
We need QB/OC compatibility! It seems Baker and Alex Van Pelt worked well in Cleveland and their familiarity with each other would allow for a quicker start than Baker spending half a season adapting to a new face. It is not like there is really another candidate that jumps out as a better option.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:37 am
Get an OC that works well with Baker he’s much more likely to re-sign with the Bucs. Then Evans is more likely to also stay. This all assumes the money can be worked out…but I trust our GM and staff to take care of that part.
Money is tight again this year after re-signing our own. But it would be great if we could sign at least one or two FAs. G/C and TE or S.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:49 am
Now if everyone would just listen to me all the time………,
January 29th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Nobody is running away from Baker rather Bakes makes people look so good they get
deals they cant refuse. 6 years guaranteed from Tepper is taking candy from a baby. Laugh al! the way to the bank Canoli boy.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:58 am
Reminds me of that funny meme years ago that went around:
coaches walking in the door, sees J. Freeman and immediately turns and walks right back out the door….
Need to update that to OCs walk in, sees Bowels and turns to walk right back out with the caption – ‘NOPE!’
January 29th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Who hurt you Realist?
January 29th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Realistic-Orthopedic: Or whatever you call yourself this week, lol. I can’t believe how naive you are. I wanted to say stupid, but you’re not. You’re just a confused whiner. You don’t think that one of the best QB’s in the last 40 years, Aaron Rogers, cant judge whether Van Pelt is good or not? How are we supposed to believe that anything you say is rational? Hilarious.
Secondly, calling Baker a “so, so QB” shows how little you know about the position. You, like David and Capt’n Munch, have lost all credibility on this site. Your cult is dead and knowing that Baker will be here for years is just too much for your psyche to handle.
Please seek counseling. Medications just aren’t enough.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:05 am
geno711: Freddie Kitchens and Baker got along really well and used to bust each other’s b*lls all the time. You’re off base with your comment about their relationship.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:13 am
The guy with 1 SB ring despite having 12 playoff appearances? The guy that threatened retirement repeatedly and butted heads with his front office? The anti-vaxer? The guy that was fired by bspn for spewing ludacris conspiracy theories?
No, I’m not interested in his takes.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:18 am
I would love this hire if we didn’t have so many great weapons LOL… This guy runs a GREAT rushing attack but they were AWFUL passing the football. I want someone that can run the football but also use Evans/Godwin etc. Thats why I was excited to hopefully land Moore. He ran effectively and had a good passing attack. This guy is completely one-dimensional.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:36 am
I like it. He has a good history and proven results. I think this will be our next OC based on who else is available.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Van Pelt would be an upgrade from Canales. I wasn’t that impressed with Canales, we looked like trash against the Panthers scoring 9 pts. The offense should have been humming at that point. Too many games where he wouldn’t open things up until it was too late. He also had to be called out by Godwin’s wife to get Godwin any consistent targets. He couldn’t scheme anything for Godwin from the slot where he was a beast?….It made no sense. If we get this hire right, we should take a decent step forward in the division. Carolina has little talent, Atlanta has no QB and Carr struggles with consistency.
January 29th, 2024 at 11:51 am
This is an absolute no brainer hire. Rodgers loved him, Baker loved him. He didn’t get to call the plays in Cleveland (except for their playoff win in 2020 which they dominated)
January 29th, 2024 at 11:59 am
Seems like a guy who will fall in line under Bowles.
He WANTS to run the ball and play defense.
A pass rush is still what is needed to compete.
Even Winfield had a bad game against Detroit.
Zero pressure from our OLBs wont cut it.
If we don’t bring in a stud next year it’s curtains again.
Also, you gotta draft Lineman that can run block.
Our guys HAVE been drafted to pass block and that will need to change.
Draft trenches early and get a few FAs and we can compete.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
It feels like Bowles has one interview question for OC candidates: “are you willing to work with Baker?”
Zach Robinson didn’t even sit down for the interview before accepting another job. Canales bolted as soon as he could. I don’t think most OC candidates are excited about having a so-so QB forced on them………… . Someone actually posted this ….You’re stone cold a moron!!!
January 29th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
A good hire I can guarantee the running game with get better don’t be surprised if we get a veteran RB like a Kareem Hunt.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Realistic optimistic is a scatter brain biatch
January 29th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Jo didn’t mention Brady so why is she here
January 29th, 2024 at 12:47 pm
“Yes, he also coached Baker Mayfield.” – Joe
Was he one of those coaches that failed to develop him? If so…pass!
January 29th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
realistic-optimistic Says:
“…Rodgers…’”
I would take him in a heartbeat…at half price.
January 29th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Yes, he also coached Baker Mayfield.” – Joe
Was he one of those coaches that failed to develop him? If so…pass! He had a little dysfunction in Cleveland, I mean if you give your first round first overall pick 4HC/4OC in 3 years it’s not setting them up for success in spite of that he actually had success winning their first playoff game in 50 years on the road. Breaking Peyton Manning’s rookie TD record winning pro football writers Rookie of the Year. With clown coaches like Hugh Jackson Greg Williams and Freddie kitchens…. Who are coaching nowhere in the NFL right now.. AVP and Baker got along good, it was Stefanski and Baker that had issues in his last year there, a lot of it had to do with his injury if he should have been playing or not which clearly he should not have been.
January 29th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Realistic optimistic u r the least optimistic person on this site who the hell left you with the honors of who on the hot seat who gets fired u r a complete jackass Dont bother the rest of the real optimistic people on this site.hit the road loser
January 29th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
OMG Rodgers didn’t get a Vax holyst!t what a loser real optimistic how smart was Rodgers not getting that bs shot they cause myocardial u sir r a complete moron go to school jackass
January 29th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
R.O….. if Bucs of job is so bad, and oc’s don’t want a “so so”quarterback thrust on them, why are they interviewing? Does that make any sense?
January 29th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Van Pelt did not call plays. Kevin Stefanski did. So yea he was run oriented. However, when the one good thing the Chinese did was infect Steffi he had to sit at home. Van Pelt called the Pittsburg playoff game and he let Baker rip it and the steel toed boys were demolished.
January 29th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Baker Mayfield has won as many playoff games Lamar Jackson. Lamar has played with one coach John harbaugh and two OC his entire career…. Baker has thrown 4 more TDs in 2 less games….People have no idea how important continuity is, I went back and watched the Pittsburgh Cleveland playoff game that AVP was calling the place, he was aggressive, kept the foot on the pedal …..very impressive.
January 29th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Demeco Ryan kinda exposed Van Pelt in that playoff game. Running a 1990s/early 00s West Coast system can work but lots of coaches have figured out all its weaknesses too. It’s like playing a base Tampa 2 now. You need to run multiple systems with new concepts in today’s NFL for success. I haven’t seen that with Van Pelt. Not my top choice.
January 29th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Not a fan of AVP. It’s about scheme. Both AVP and Ken Dorsey ran lots of 12-personnel. That all Cleveland ran and Bills went from rarely using it prior to 2023 to using it almost all the time until Dorsey got fired. With little pre-snap motion to determine QB pre-snap reads. I am sure Bowles would love two tight-ends low risk low reward offenses. But that does not bring out the best in Baker, Evans or Godwin.
Bucs offense ranked last in run and 16th in pass. The run game was more to blame for the lack of offense then the pass. It does not help the pass game when teams know you are going to run on first down and leave you with 2nd and 3rd and long. That style works with a Fullback Quarterback like in Buffalo or a stud run game like Cleveland has with Bill Callahan coaching up the o-line.
I am glad the Browns hired Dorsey. He fits what Stefanski wants to do in Cleveland. And it works for Cleveland. I cringe at the thought it is AVP for Tampa. A shift from the McVay pre-snap motion find the open spot to your play maker offense would be a step back for Tampa, Baker and the WR corp. Add some help with a complimentary RB to White and a more seasoned guard with the wide zone blocking. And the passing, rushing and total offense will make a nice step forward.
January 29th, 2024 at 3:17 pm
I’d rather have Linus Van Pelt or Lucy Van Pelt, Charlie Brown.
January 29th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
realistic-optimistic Says:
January 29th, 2024 at 11:13 am
*ludicrous
January 29th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Van Pelt could be a QB coach candidate if Thad Lewis is promoted.
January 29th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
@sasquatch, thanks lol
January 29th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Absolutely not. What are they thinking
January 29th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
“I wasn’t that impressed with Canales, we looked like trash against the Panthers scoring 9 pts.“
the panthers might have sucked this season but they had the #3 pass defense. they were also top 5 for least amount of points allowed. maybe if we had an offensive line that could block and if our play caller didn’t insist on constantly running right up the middle into the opposing players, the offense could have scored more than the 9 points..
January 29th, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Someone like Van Pelt might be perfect. Knows and can tolerate Baker, nothing too fancy, build on last year’s development.
January 29th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
To all the fans who keep complaining that Bowles isn’t acting fast enough they need to keep in mind its only been 4 days and there were 15 other teams who got a head start on him.
January 29th, 2024 at 7:12 pm
I’m with WyomingJoe and Baker’sBucs – all the Mayfield-hating is getting old! Baker more than proved himself, top 10 QB in this league and will only be better next year! Teammates love him that’s a better test than any fans distorted opinions! It was a blessing he fell in our lap, astute move by GM. Baker’s tough as nails, and just mobile enough. And any talk about Canalis (good riddance) being a QB “Whisperer” is laughable. If we get a legit OC with creative play design, halftime and in game adjustments, and a decent blocking scheme/ beefed up overhauled o-line, this offense would be really dangerous!
January 29th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
I e been hoping we would land AVP! Let’s go BUCS!
January 29th, 2024 at 8:42 pm
Um, it looks like he ate Alex VanPelt.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:05 pm
If Baker is cool with it?
LFGGGGGGGG
Todd needs to stay away from the offense.
Need another RB too
January 29th, 2024 at 9:14 pm
WyomingJoe Says:
January 29th, 2024 at 11:05 am
geno711: Freddie Kitchens and Baker got along really well and used to bust each other’s b*lls all the time. You’re off base with your comment about their relationship.
Dude, I do not hate Baker. If that is what you think.
There is a whole long list of articles how their relationship deteriorated, and the video was a hot mike and not Baker busting on Kitchens. It was clearly a criticism. Wake up.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:19 pm
Realist, you may not have heard, probably because the same news sources that ran adds for the vax makers keep it from us but, recently (as in 2 or 3 weeks ago) there was a senate sub-committee that interviewed Mr. Fauci to ask some of the very same questions that we non-Vaxxers had four years ago, such as efficacy claims, testing, rush-to-market, at-risk groups, natural immunity etc. He struggled keeping all of the lies covered. Check it out!
January 29th, 2024 at 11:21 pm
A bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush (see Jameis Winston). Baker needs to be signed and the new O/C should know coming in that he will be working with him.
February 4th, 2024 at 9:39 pm
Dude looks like he ate a QB.