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Liam Coen's Jacksonville Job Just Got a Lot Harder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Timm Hamm | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 9:01 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a new offensive coordinator for the third straight season.

Liam Coen replaced Dave Canales, who left after the 2023 season to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Now, Coen has left to take the head coaching job in Jacksonville.

Both Canales and Coen are credited by some for the progress Baker Mayfield has made since joining the Bucs in 2023, and Coen is expected to get the most out of his new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence was the No. 1 overall pick out of Clemson in 2021, but his professional career has not seen that of his time in college.

And according to ESPN's Michael DiRocco, Coen's job might be even harder than previously thought.

"According to ESPN Research," DiRocco explained, "when targeting Kirk and Engram since 2022, Lawrence completed 70.2% of his passes, had 21 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, an off-target percentage of 14.3%, and got rid of the ball in 2.42 seconds. When targeting any other player on the field: 61.9% completions, 36 touchdown passes to 19 interceptions, an off-target percentage of 17.2%, and got rid of the ball in 2.67 seconds.

"Lawrence got the ball out quicker and averaged more than a yard more per attempt (7.8 to 6.7) when throwing to Kirk and Engram, a clear sign that he was comfortable when throwing to those two."

Lawrence's favorite two targets, Kirk and Engram, are both gone. Unless the Jaguars can find adequate replacements - and soon - Lawrence's professional career might be over before it ever gets going.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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