Pressure Mounts On Josh Grizzard
March 10th, 2025
New Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
What a Monday it’s been for rookie Bucs playcaller Josh Grizzard, the 34-year-old that Tampa Bay hopes will be an absolute wizard with its high-powered, highly-paid offense.
Look at all the cash the Bucs are dropping on their offense, which will not have one rookie starter next season barring unforeseen events.
Today the Bucs put $20+ million in iconic receiver’s Chris Godwin’s pocket over the next three seasons, and left guard Ben Bredeson more than doubled his salary. Mike Evans will earn $21 million plus incentives in 2025, and Baker Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs each earn more than all those guys — for an offense that averaged 29.5 points per game last season.
Grizzard has no time for a learning curve unless the Bucs defense returns to respectability, which could happen after adding edge rusher Haason Reddick today and more defensive additions on the way.
The Bucs made all-in moves as the free agency dinner bell chimed at noon, and Grizzard surely knows he must step up for a fan base and ownership expecting greatness.
Franchise Pro Bowl quarterback, superstar young running back, elite receivers, a top-10 tight end and perhaps the NFL’s most punishing offensive line with every hog on the line 27 years old or under — Grizzard has been gifted a platinum opportunity with the Bucs expecting Godwin to make a full recovery.
Joe sure hopes the young man is up to it.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
I’m pulling for ya grizzard, hope you don’t turn into a chicken gizzard
March 10th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
I bet Coen wished he would’ve stayed and eventually took over
March 10th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
The pressure mounts on the Defensive Coordinator.
Maybe the Head Coach will lean in on him to tighten up the 4th worst pass defense for the last 37 games five or take. Oh wait – it’s the same person.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
The amount going to the offense will increase even more if the Bucs sign new deals with TE Cade Otton and/or RT Luke Goedeke.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
I don’t think the pressure could mount any higher.
A) This is the NFL.
B) The Bucs are 4x NFCS Champs with a SB
There’s a high standard around here. Good news is if Canales could do it with ZERO experience and aptitude, Josh will be just fine.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Grizz will do fine. Opponents will dissect last year’s offense so Grizz may have some minor tweaks to change the looks, and he’ll have to get lots of play calling reps in the off-season. Still, it will be a challenge to match last year’s offense so I expect a slight learning curve but still a top 10 offense. So much depends on injuries….
March 10th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Intern’s turn at writing?
March 10th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Hopefully we don’t end up regretting not landing Scheelhasse with the Rams for OC, and McVay just promoted him again. Better be a wiz of a Grizz.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
You dont get into this business if you cant handle pressure
March 10th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
People. The defense is where all the pressure is. Or should be.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Oh, happy day. The pressure is on because the tools have been added/kept. Both sides need to evolve and put tons of pressure on their opponents. The draft is coming and the plan looks to be clear. LFG!
March 10th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
The pressure should be on Todd Bowles’ defense…..I fully expect our offense to perform at least as well as last year….barring no significant injuries.
Maybe I’m wrong but I’d like to see another top TE added to the roster.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Lots of pressure for this job….Grizzard could call all the plays and help lead the Bucs to a Superbowl victory but if he has 1 bad year with a bad injury ridden roster, the fans will forget everything good you did and immediatly turn on you. Just ask Leftwhich.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
You still use a premium pick on an edge player. Sign a CB and draft one then hope (there’s that word) Jihaad Campbell is there! I’d love maybe a young DT as well at some point in the draft.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Asking Leftwurst anything would be futile.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
JimBobBuc, we’re an offense that’s getting better. Lines better, rookies are better, another training camp together. I would hate to think we would fall off at all. I think our biggest change will be in amount of turnovers. Griz will be just fine. He’s got a great bunch of players to help him out. Wouldn’t it be something if we had the top offense in the league? Easily could happen. Experience and trust go along way and with the talent we have nothing would surprise me.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
So glad no more JTS running past QB’s. He was the most upright pass rusher on the Bucs with the cleanest jersey every week. He was rarely injured because he avoided contact
March 10th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
Otton is not a top 10 TE.
But he’s our new Brate.
He loves football. He’s tough as nails. He makes tough catches.
But he’s small. He’s a below average blocker.
Culp looked legit last year. He has a huge lower body. He breaks tackles naturally.
I know Keift is a great guy an all. But Culp is clearly a better TE.
Keift is more of a practice squad guy. He’s a great dude.
But Culp needs snaps. He looks like a freak at TE.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
“Tbbucs3 Says:
March 10th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Lots of pressure for this job….Grizzard could call all the plays and help lead the Bucs to a Superbowl victory but if he has 1 bad year with a bad injury ridden roster, the fans will forget everything good you did and immediatly turn on you. Just ask Leftwhich.”
Except that Leftwich never did anything. He had training wheels (BA) making sure he didn’t go full idiot.
Once BA was kicked off the sidelines, Byron was exposed. Simple as that. It’s no coincidence that the offense went south when BA was kicked off the sidelines after the NO game fracas.
March 10th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
I would say the head coaches at Carolina and Jacksonville are under a lot more pressure, for all their millions. I think they would love to trade offenses with the Bucs and take their chances with talent and pressure as opposed to question marks and pressure.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
StormyInFL
You clearly dont know that Leftwhich called all the plays from 2019-2021 during Arians ring of honor regime….that has been well reported.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
But then Bucs fans immediately turn on him after he tries to run an offense with a 45 year old disinterested QB, a fat washed running back, and a injuried O-line. Of course it didnt work.
But Bucs fans are stupid to not give Leftwhich any credit for his brilliant playcalling during the superbowl run just cause 2022 didnt pan out….Lefty held the playsheet and was the one talking with Brady 90% of the time on the sidelines.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Left foot called what TB12 told him too..
March 10th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Why does Grizzard look hungover in all his photos?
March 10th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
Joe … ‘The Bucs made all-in moves as the free agency dinner bell chimed at noon’.
Ya, but 3 of the 4 were on the offensive side of the ball (Godwin, Bredeson, Clark). It’s great to get those out of the way early, but reality is that we’ve got to fix our defense if we expect to win the Super Bowl. Getting Reddick is a decent start, but can’t wait to see what transpires in the rest of free agency AND particularly in the draft.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:32 pm
Never was a Leftwich fan.
I agree with StormyinFL assessment over Tbbucs3 analysis.
Always believed that it was BA and his red pen that ended up calling our most crucial plays.
Is that turning on Leftwich as Tbbucs said or just having a different opinion?
BTW, it seems like the whole world disagrees with anyone that thought that Leftwich was a superior OC. The world has decided he does not get any other chance. Perception is a part of life. All Leftwich needs is one head coach to hire him to give him a chance to change that perception.
I would stay in the bell curve of perception. Ok for Tbbucs3 option to have an opinion outside the bell curve. Those guys are right 2 percent of the time.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Looks like someone has been drinking or else had a small stroke. “DJ Clark” LOL.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Why are we arguing about Leftwich? I wanna know if Grizz is a whiz or takes a whiz.
March 10th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
He’s not thinking about their paychecks that’s the media’s job to write things like that but uh Bowles defense is still trash until it’s not. The offense is elite until it’s not, that’s the way the game goes baby. When analysts talk about 2025 Bucs they’ll brag about the offense of last year.
March 10th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Bucs fans and the NFL turned on Leftwhich because they had to blame somebody for their precious Tommy Boy looking mediocre….even though Brady was 45 with a bad Oline.
And Geno, Im not saying Arians wasnt heavily involved with the offense, but its just nonsense how Bucs fans act like Leftwhich didnt have anything to do with the 2020 season.
I give credit where credits due to all former Bucs employees who helped contribute to this organizations success….im not gonna sit here and bash the guy like most Bucs fans do.
March 10th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Devin Culp ,,,, the Bucs Switch Blade…..
Devin Culp can be TE1 or CG14 replacement or backup in the Slot. He can be the replacement/injury backup of Evans, McMillen. He could even be the replacement for Vita Vea in the Goal line “heavy RB” option. His speed and size can be taken advantage of by Grizz to provide or the the new looks the bucs offense need in 2025. I thank Culp and Braswell will be lights out this year and bring that little extra something needed to take this team over the top and into the Post Season and hopefully the SB.
Go Bucs.
March 10th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
I am a CG14 fan. Now just waiting for the posting that he has signed. Then I can sit back an wait for the Drafting of LB, Edge, CB, DL. If GM decides to trade up or down, I am okay with that now. Just get us the BPA for the positions we need help in. GO BUCS.
March 10th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
On to Super Bowl LX!!!
LFG!!!!!!