There is one tried and true way NFL head coaches can essentially buy themselves another year on the job when they find themselves on the hot seat — just blame everyone around them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles went to that tried and true playbook just one day after it seemed like he barely held onto his own job by firing offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard after just one season.
“A significant change for Bucs coach Todd Bowles: He’s firing OC Josh Grizzard, per The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on X on Thursday, January 8. “There could be other staff changes. But Baker Mayfield will have a new play-caller.”
Grizzard took over for current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, a leading NFL Coach of the Year candidate, who took over for current Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
The Panthers snapped the Buccaneers’ streak of 3 consecutive NFC South Division titles this season as Tampa Bay’s offense looked completely lost down the stretch, losing 7 of 8 games before taking down the Panthers in the regular season finale.
It will be Mayfield’s fourth offensive coordinator in 4 seasons after he earned his first 2 Pro Bowl selections under Canales and Coen.
Steep Fall for Grizzard in One Season
If you want an example of exactly how quickly things can turn in the NFL, consider that Grizzard was considered a possible head coaching candidate in the 2026 hiring cycle through the first 2 months of the regular season.
“It’s also worth noting that the Tampa Bay offensive pipeline is pipelining again,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on October 7. “Josh Grizzard has taken over, and the Buccaneers’ offense hasn’t missed a beat. It still ranks high in most offensive categories despite a rash of injuries, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is still dealing. Todd Bowles’ previous two coordinator picks — Dave Canales (Carolina) and Liam Coen (Jacksonville) — have moved into head coaching jobs, and Grizzard has three months to show that he belongs in that group. But the early returns are good for the former Yale football captain, a status that will intrigue some owners.”
Grizzard spent 7 seasons as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins before coming to the Buccaneers as the pass game coordinator in 2024.
What Went Wrong With Bucs Offense in 2025
The short answer is: Pretty much everything.
Tampa Bay’s offense was essentially decimated by injuries from start to finish. Their 2024 trio of starting wide receivers missed a total of 30 games; Mike Evans (9 games), Chris Godwin (8 games) and Jalen McMillan (13 games).
The Buccaneers’ 1,200-yard rusher from 2024, Bucky Irving, missed 7 games. NFL All-Pro left offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs missed a career high 5 games, right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke missed 6 games and starting right guard Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 2 and missed 15 games.
Those excuses did little to save Grizzard’s job.
“This felt inevitable but still risky,” NFL reporter Emifok wrote on X. “New play caller means a fresh voice, which Baker probably needs, but it also resets chemistry all over again. Bowles is clearly choosing urgency over comfort here … The next hire has to be someone who actually builds around Baker’s strengths, quick reads, rhythm, movement. If they miss on that, this just becomes another reset instead of real progress.”
Buccaneers Make Shocking Decision on Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard