The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for their fifth offensive coordinator in 5 years after Josh Grizzard was fired after one season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
The answer might come from someone who once played in their offense.
“The Bucs will interview Giants OC and interim coach Mike Kafka for their offensive coordinator job,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on Monday, January 12. “Kafka, 38, was a Bucs backup QB in 2014 and was a Chiefs assistant 2017-21 before joining Giants in 2022.”
Kafka, a Chicago native, was a fourth round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2010 NFL draft and spent 6 seasons with 7 different teams, including the Buccaneers in 2014 — a year in which the Buccaneers went 2-14 and ended up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
“Confirming Bucs will interview Giants offfensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who served as interim HC after Brian Daboll was fired,” Tampa Bay Times NFL reporter Rick Stroud wrote on X. “Giants went 2-5 under Kafka and averaged 23 ppg in their last seven games.”
Kafka won a Super Bowl as the quarterbacks coach for the Chiefs following the 2019 season. He’s been the offensive coordinator for the Giants since 2022.
Grizzard Flamed Out in One Season as Bucs OC
Grizzard ended up taking much of the blame after the Buccaneers started the season 5-1 then staggered to an 8-9 finish.
“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.
Grizzard Had Head Coach Buzz Early in 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.”
Former Buccaneers QB Interviews for Offensive Coordinator Opening