Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles has opportunity to rebuild team following coaching changes

Head coach Todd Bowles now has the opportunity to rebuild after assuming former HC Bruce Arians’ staff, including Leftwich, when he took over this season. Bowles didn’t have the flexibility to make changes until now.

Although Tampa Bay finished a disappointing 8-9, Bowles is expected to remain HC, per the Tampa Bay Times.

Bowles hinted at sweeping changes while delivering a stern message earlier this week. 

His offseason moves will likely alter the trajectory of the team and could lure pending free agents back, perhaps even QB Tom Brady.

Alabama OC Bill O’Brien is among the candidates for Leftwich’s job, per Stroud. O’Brien was Brady’s QB coach and OC for three seasons with the Patriots. He was considered for the job last year when the Jaguars pursued Leftwich as head coach.

Georgia OC Todd Monken is also considered a worthy candidate, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

Monken, Tampa Bay’s OC from 2016-2018, is fresh off another national title as Georgia’s offensive coordinator. 

In 2020, Leftwich helped the Bucs’ offense average 30.8 points and win the Super Bowl. His firing came after the Bucs averaged only 18.2 points and rushed for a league-worst 1,308 yards.

While many fans rejoice in Leftwich’s departure, others argue more of the blame should have fallen on Bowles and Brady. 

Bowles’ conservative play-calling contrasted with Arians’ “No Risk It, No Biscuit” offense. Brady’s decline was never more apparent than in the loss to the Cowboys. 

“Tom Brady is responsible for that man losing his job,” Shannon Sharpe said of Leftwich on Fox Sports’ “Undisputed” on Thursday.

Look for many more changes on the Bucs in the coming weeks.