The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced the promotion of Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator, following the departure of Liam Coen, who has taken the head coaching job with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Grizzard, who served as the team's pass-game coordinator for the 2024 season, has been praised for his contributions to the Buccaneers' successful offensive strategies.
Grizzard, 34, steps up to the role after Coen's sudden exit, which came after he initially indicated he would remain with Tampa Bay. His leaving created a sense of urgency for the Buccaneers, known for their high-octane offense. Grizzard was selected for the position from among several potential candidates interviewed over the past week, solidifying the Buccaneers' decision to keep the coaching responsibilities within the organization. This marks him as the fourth offensive coordinator the team has had under head coach Todd Bowles since he took over the helm.
Bowles expressed confidence in Grizzard, stating, "Josh is bright and innovative and was instrumental in our game planning and play design over the last year." His promotion is seen as key to maintaining continuity within the team as quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to stabilize after standout performances last season.
Grizzard has spent numerous years developing his coaching abilities. Before joining the Buccaneers, he worked with the Miami Dolphins, where he held roles including offensive quality control and wide receivers coach. His time at the Dolphins spanned seven seasons, during which he contributed to one of the NFL's most productive offenses. Under his guidance, Jaylen Waddle set the rookie receptions record before joining the Buccaneers.
The offensive success of the 2024 season is considered by many to be tied to Grizzard’s initial direction of the team’s passing game, which ranked third overall with 250.4 passing yards per game. Under quarterback Baker Mayfield, who set career highs across various metrics—4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdown passes, and 71.4% completion percentage—the team averaged 29.5 points per game, placing them among the upper echelon of scoring offenses.
Bowles noted, "We had a lot of success offensively last season, and during our conversations, Grizz provided some great ideas on how we can build on it. His familiarity with our offense, our players and the staff will help us maintain the continuity necessary for sustained success." This continuity is particularly significant for Mayfield, who has now played under eight different offensive coordinators since he entered the league—a situation he has been vocal about feeling challenged by.
The Buccaneers have expressed their hopes of leveraging Grizzard's deep knowledge of their schemes and his established relationships within the team to propel them toward another successful season. Critics have pointed out the challenges faced with frequent changes at coordinator, so this internal promotion might aid mitigating those concerns.
While details of Grizzard's future offensive strategies are still to be disclosed, early indications suggest he will continue to build on Coen's successful approaches. Notably, the Buccaneers excelled at third-down conversions during the past season, boasting the highest rate at 51.11% throughout the NFL—a record achievement for the franchise.
Grizzard's charge will also include nurturing young talents and maintaining the offensive chemistry built through the previous season’s successes. His priority is expected to focus on maximizing the skill sets of the team's players, including the likes of Mayfield, who has seen positive strides forward thanks to the systems implemented last year.
Heading forward, Grizzard’s challenge will be ensuring the offensive unit retains its momentum as they head toward the 2025 season. The approach promises to be dynamic; his previous experience and insight draw from diverse coaching methodologies. Alongside assisting with the aerial attack, he is anticipated to innovate ways to blend offensive styles, perhaps incorporating strong elements from the Miami Dolphins' potent performance over the past years.
With the conclusion of their swift internal search, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans now await what Grizzard will bring to the field as their new offensive coordinator. Undoubtedly, the decision signals the franchise's intent to capitalize on recent achievements and continue striving for excellence in the forthcoming NFL season.