So What Do The Buccaneers Do Now?

To the shock of no one, the Buccaneers couldn’t rely on the Saints to win. In defense of them, I might’ve played better at wideout than #81. Tyler Shough tried to drag them kicking and screaming to a win. But the Panthers have won the NFC South on a two-game losing streak. Regardless, the Bucs put themselves into this position, so they can’t blame no one but themselves. A lot needs to improve for next year.

Let’s get the most controversial thing out of the way. Todd Bowles should be fired (or pushed into retirement or front office role). will he? All signs point to no unfortunately. With that said, they did just miss out on the playoffs after a 6-2 start. That might sway the Glazers towards a firing. If they do, I think Kevin Stefanski should be top on the list. This is a pretty lackluster free agent coaching cycle, at least for offensive guys. Klint Kubiak is the more exciting realistic option. Guys like Grant Udinski from the Jaguars or Scheelhaase on the Rams are wildcards. Stefanski obviously has experience with Baker and should at least be a competent stabilizing force. I don’t know who they would bring in for OC, but I expect it would be someone he has worked with before.

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Josh Grizzard is almost assuredly gone. There is not a universe where his job is safe. Regardless of what happens to Bowles, he is gone. There are a lot of options for OC the Bucs could look at. Ironically, they could look at Udinski if he can be swayed by being allowed to call his own plays. He is already OC for the Jags, but Coen calls their offense. If he wants to call plays and doesn’t get head coaching nods, he might be an option for the Bucs.

From a roster building perspective, Licht can’t just sit back on his ass and do nothing in FA. Re-sign Mike and pray Rachaad comes back, but that should be it for in-house signings. Not a single other player should come back, especially Reddick. And he cannot enter next off-season with the idea of signing yet another pass-rusher to a one-year prove-it deal. He’s not going to find Shaq Barrett again. He needs to make some real moves. I already made some suggestions like Nakobe Dean at LB or Dre’mont Jones for the defensive line.

This team can bounce back next year, but not if they don’t make some big changes. This whole roster needs to be overturned, especially on defense. There also needs to be some coaching overhaul. OC, DC, St Coach, and HC shouldn’t be coming back. Although some of those changes likely won’t occur. Licht also needs to be aggressive again in free agency and not hope his rookies bail out the roster. The Bucs do have plenty of cap space to work with and will probably end up with the 13th or 14th draft pick. Good enough to get a high impact defensive player. I will start writing more articles after a clearer picture of what changes are made have become clear.