Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen – Photograph by Jeffrey Jones/PR
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Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds solutions your questions from the @PewterReport Twitter account this week within the Bucs Mailbag. Submit your query to the Bucs Mailbag every week by way of Twitter utilizing the hashtag #PRMailbag. Listed below are the Bucs questions we selected to reply for this week’s version.
QUESTION: So long as the Bucs don’t implode, will probably be one other spectacular turnaround and no approach you make a training change. How on earth do the Bucs preserve Liam Coen? Make him the highest-paid offensive coordinator and assure him it’s his staff after another season? Are you continue to assured he stays?
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: USA Right now
ANSWER: The primary two questions are comparable and I selected them as a result of this matter is complicated and I’ll have loads of room to elaborate this manner. I’ll begin by giving Todd Bowles his props. For the second straight yr, the Bucs have weathered a 4-6 storm (final yr the staff fell to 4-7) and have managed to dig themselves out of a midseason gap to place themselves in place to win the NFC South. Ought to Tampa Bay keep on track and win out, the staff may have gained its third straight division title underneath Bowles.
That may put the staff in a precarious scenario relating to Bowles and hotshot offensive coordinator Liam Coen, whose play-calling brilliance is beginning to appeal to nationwide consideration. Coen will race close to the highest of scorching head teaching candidates by the tip of the 2024 season, particularly if the Bucs preserve profitable and his offense retains scoring 30-plus factors per recreation.
It’s arduous to recommend that the Bucs fireplace Bowles and promote Coen the longer the profitable streak goes on, particularly if Tampa Bay’s protection continues to excel after the bye week. Bowles has executed a exceptional job along with his steady-handed management through the Bucs’ four-game profitable streak – following a four-game shedding streak previous to the bye week. And Bowles’ protection has allowed a median of simply 15 factors per recreation over the past 4 video games, which is terribly spectacular, particularly shutting out the Chargers, 27-0, within the second half of a 40-17 win in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bowles has put his protection collectively at occasions with rubber bands, twine and glue as a result of a large number of accidents which have hit his unit, particularly within the secondary. The Bucs had been one of many healthiest groups within the league final yr, but this yr they’re one of the injured, sadly. That makes the teaching job Bowles has executed much more spectacular. Until Bowles’ protection craters down the stretch and turns into the explanation the staff doesn’t make the playoffs in some way or is the explanation the staff loses within the postseason, it’s tough to discover a purpose to interchange Bowles.
One of the best-case state of affairs for all events concerned is that the duo of Bowles and Coen permit the Bucs to trip into New Orlens for Tremendous Bowl LIX and win it. Then maybe the 61-year previous Bowles calls it a profession and retires on high, permitting Coen to take over as head coach. The Glazers may even proceed to pay Bowles his wage for the remaining years left on his contract as a thanks – and to supply the inducement for him to step apart and be certain that Coen stays in Tampa Bay and takes over.
But if Bowles isn’t prepared for retirement and needs to defend his Tremendous Bowl title in 2025 underneath this state of affairs, protecting Coen may be unbelievable. Now let’s have a look at a state of affairs the place the Bucs don’t make it to the Tremendous Bowl and what may occur with Coen then. And sure, I’m nonetheless assured that the Bucs discover a strategy to preserve him in Tampa Bay.
QUESTION: With Liam Coen’s offensive unit persevering with to blow up he’ll be thought of for head teaching jobs across the NFL. That being mentioned, what do they really do with Todd Bowles? They will’t let Coen simply stroll.
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
ANSWER: Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen simply turned 39 and is a wunderkind. He has an excellent offensive thoughts that’s tailor made for a league that has grow to be all about offense. Coen’s offense has worn the superhero cape for a lot of the season in Tampa Bay, solely scoring lower than 20 factors in only one recreation recreation this yr – a 26-7 loss to Denver again in Week 3. The Bucs offense is scoring 28.8 factors per recreation, which ranks fourth within the NFL, and has averaged 31 factors per recreation for the reason that bye week. Remember the fact that that is Coen’s first yr as an offensive play-caller, too.
I believe he’s simply scratching the floor. Simply wait till he has extra expertise underneath his belt. We might be speaking in regards to the subsequent Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay right here with Coen. So the Bucs can’t afford to let him stroll as he may present some long-term stability in Tampa Bay, particularly given his rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is barely 29. Coen and Mayfield may make the Bucs respectable Tremendous Bowl contenders for years to come back if the quarterback continues his excessive degree of play and will get a brand new contract extension past 2026.
Todd Bowles simply turned 61 and it’s unclear how for much longer he needs to teach within the NFL. Discovering a purpose to interchange Bowles with Coen can be arduous to justify, particularly if Bowles wins three straight NFC South championships in his first three years as Tampa Bay’s head coach.
However we now have seen legends get changed with different legends earlier than within the NFL. Inexperienced Bay traded Corridor of Fame quarterback Brett Favre away in order that Aaron Rodgers, a future Corridor of Famer, may take over. And earlier than the Packers did that, the 49ers traded away Corridor of Famer Joe Montana in order that San Francisco may preserve one other quarterback that the staff thought was a Corridor of Famer in Steve Younger.
Is there a approach the Bucs may preserve each Bowles and Coen and create a state of affairs the place Coen will get a large pay enhance and is assured to take over in Tampa Bay as soon as Bowles finally retires? Presumably, however that may be a complicated state of affairs that might require loyalty from Coen and a large amount of money from the Glazers. Coordinator salaries usually aren’t public data, and never even head coach salaries are broadly recognized or revealed. However the Lions gave offensive coordinator Ben Johnson a hefty increase to remain in Detroit and proceed working with Dan Campbell, and he may be the league’s highest paid offensive play-caller.
Bucs OC Liam Coen, QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Johnson has turned down head coach interviews in every of the previous two offseasons as he’s ready for the best state of affairs, and Professional Soccer Community has executed some reporting on this case: “It’s unknown what precisely Johnson makes, however it’s believed to be within the higher echelon of offensive coordinators. The common coordinator makes round $1.5 million a yr, with the highest guys being paid round $3-4 million. Head teaching jobs, alternatively, earn often $30+ million assured.”
So there’s a large discrepancy between head teaching cash and offensive coordinator salaries – even for the elite play-callers. Would $3 million-4 million per yr preserve Coen comfortable sufficient to remain in Tampa Bay? Is it a greater scenario for Coen to stick with the Bucs and finally inherit an offense he helped construct and create somewhat than go to a staff that may be a dumpster fireplace and would wish a heavy rebuild just like the New York Jets?
We don’t even understand how bold Coen is. He’s a first-year play-caller within the NFL. However we did see Dave Canales depart Tampa Bay after only one season final yr to take over in Carolina, and the considered having the subsequent McVay or Shanahan depart the Bucs to teach elsewhere is a downright scary thought. By some means, a way I nonetheless imagine the Glazers and basic supervisor Jason Licht discover a strategy to preserve Coen in Tampa Bay. He’s just too essential to this staff’s future to lose and I believe the Glazers and Licht perceive that.
QUESTION: If the Falcons lose, will the Bucs have any playoff-clinching eventualities subsequent week?
Bucs co-owners Joel and Bryan Glazer and Falcons head coach Raheem Morris – Photograph by: USA Right now
ANSWER: If Atlanta loses at Las Vegas on Monday Evening Soccer, the Falcons may be executed. The Raiders are one of many worst groups within the league with simply two wins and the Falcons are Falconing with 4 straight losses after a 6-3 begin to the season. The Bucs’ win at Los Angeles places much more strain on Raheem Morris’ bunch to get a win in prime time and keep within the hunt for the NFC South title as Atlanta is only one recreation again from Tampa Bay.
The Bucs can be in place to clinch a playoff spot by way of profitable the NFC South with a win in Dallas coupled with losses by the Falcons to the Raiders on Monday evening and the Giants the next week. Tampa Bay can be 9-6 and Atlanta can be 6-9 and it could be over. Even when the Bucs misplaced their remaining two video games and the Falcons gained their two remaining video games, a 9-8 Tampa Bay staff would beat out an 8-9 Atlanta staff for a fourth straight division championship.
The Bucs can’t management what the Falcons do, and Morris and Co. ought to beat the lowly Raiders and Giants over the subsequent two weeks and stay scorching on Tampa Bay’s path. However by no means underestimate the Falcons’ means to Falcon – i.e. choke. That’s what that franchise has executed finest – therefore going 0-2 in Tremendous Bowls. The Bucs management their very own future and simply must win out, which appears to be like like an actual risk.
QUESTION: Your ideas on Zyon McCollum probably getting a brand new contract within the offseason?
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
ANSWER: I believe cornerback Zyon McCollum will get an early contract extension within the offseason despite the fact that he’ll be getting into a contract yr in 2025. The staff gained’t make him wait till the 2026 offseason to increase him. That’s a sensible transfer and can seemingly imply the Bucs might be getting McCollum at a less expensive worth in consequence. But McCollum gained’t be the one Buccaneers participant who will seemingly get an early contract extension.
Proper deal with Luke Goedeke has been an absolute stud this yr and might be handsomely rewarded as properly in 2025. The second-round choose has grow to be an elite offensive deal with and getting him signed sooner somewhat than later will wind up costing the staff much less down the street. Tight finish Cade Otton can be due for a contract extension in 2026, however he’ll seemingly get one this offseason as properly. Otton is extremely sturdy and has taken a giant step ahead as a blocker and a receiver within the passing recreation.
The rationale the Bucs can look to increase these gamers’ contracts early is as a result of just one participant will command an enormous contract this offseason – extensive receiver Chris Godwin. This isn’t like final yr the place quarterback Baker Mayfield, extensive receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. had been all free brokers in the identical offseason, and that may assist assistant basic supervisor Mike Greenberg and G.M. Jason Licht concentrate on these extensions.
QUESTION: What’s Santa bringing the Bucs?
Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and KJ Britt and 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
ANSWER: I do know that one other NFC South title is on Tampa Bay’s vacation want checklist, and that Todd Bowles has instilled a Tremendous Bowl mindset within the staff for the reason that eve of coaching camp. So nothing can be higher for Christmas and Hanukkah than a shock Tremendous Bowl LIX title for this yr’s Bucs squad. And you’ll add protecting offensive coordinator Liam Coen in Tampa Bay for 2025 and past to the staff’s want checklist, too.
The reward of fine well being would even be so as. Groups that win the Tremendous Bowl usually have two issues going for them down the stretch – well being and momentum. On the heels of Tampa Bay’s 40-17 dismantling of the Chargers in Los Angeles, the staff is peaking proper now and enjoying its finest soccer in December.
Now if the Bucs may simply get wholesome – and keep wholesome – a Tremendous Bowl run might be legit. Keep in mind, it is a staff that has already crushed the likes of Detroit and Philadelphia – albeit earlier within the season.
As for subsequent yr, the Bucs may use upgrades at inside linebacker, particularly if the legendary Lavonte David calls it a profession at age 35. SirVocea Dennis is gifted sufficient to be one starter, however the staff wants extra expertise and depth there. Additionally discovering one other starting-caliber cornerback is a should given Jamel Dean’s incapability to remain wholesome all through your entire season. A greater, simpler edge rusher can be a should, along with a greater outdoors linebackers coach to interchange George Edwards.
