Dirk Koetter Could Return In 2019
It has been assumed that the Buccaneers and head coach Dirk Koetter would be parting ways at the end of the season, but Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) does not necessarily believe that assumption is a safe one. Rapoport says Koetter could certainly be fired — which would then make him a very appealing OC candidate for rival clubs — but the Glazer family has not ruled out keeping Koetter and the entire “upper structure” of the team. After all, Tampa Bay’s offense is the most prolific in franchise history, and the club’s defense has become a league-average unit since former DC Mike Smith was fired in October.
NFL Workout Updates: 12/19/18
Today’s practice squad updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Bryant Mitchell; T Ryker Mathews; LBs Tobi Antigha, Sam Eguavoen, Pete Robertson, Alex Singleton, Jameer Thurman; K Ty Long
Buffalo Bills
- QB Bo Levi Mitchell; WRs Diontae Spencer, D’haquille Williams; TE Evan Baylis; LB Cory James
Chicago Bears
- QB Bo Levi Mitchell; WRs Marken Michel, Jordan Williams-Lambert; TE Clive Walford
Cincinnati Bengals
- G Avery Gennesy
Cleveland Browns
- RB Jarvion Franklin; TE Kevin Rader; G Ian Park; DT Lance McDowell; S Jack Tocho
Green Bay Packers
- WRs Chris Brown, Ka’Raun Williams; CB Trevon Mathis
Houston Texans
- LB Dominique Alexander; DB Tevaughn Campbell; CB Craig Mager; S Tyvis Powell
Indianapolis Colts
- LB Greer Martini; Ss Isaiah Johnson, Afolabi Laguda; K Ty Long
Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Jameer Thurman; DEs Tobi Antigha, Kwaku Boateng; S Chris Edwards
New Orleans Saints
San Francisco 49ers
- G Marcus Oliver; T Blaine Clausell; DL Kapron Lewis-Moore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- G Chris Schleuger; T Dakoda Shepley; DB Tevaughn Campbell; Ks Jon Brown, Trevor Moore; Ps Hayden Hunt, Ryan Winslow; LS Zach Triner
Washington Redskins
- RB Akrum Wadley; CBs Doran Grant, Dexter McDougle, Sojourn Shelton; Ss Dexter McCoil, Stephen Roberts
Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/18
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Pete Robertson, S Fish Smithson
- Released: OL Justin Evans
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Christian Blake, OL Chris Durant
- Released: WR Julian Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Landon Turner, LB Antwione Williams
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Justin Stockton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Arrion Springs
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Toby Weathersby
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Martez Carter
- Released: QB J.T. Barrett
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Cayson Collins
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Jordan Smallwood
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Marcus Henry
- Released: WR Damore’ea Stringfellow
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Alec James
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Alex Carter, WR Montay Crockett, DB Jack Tocho
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/18/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Jonathan Moxey
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Chris Cooper
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Kyle Friend
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Eric Cotton, CB D.J. Killings
- Placed on PS-IR: TE Ethan Wolf
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Tegray Scales
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: FB Dimitri Flowers, WR Jordan Veasy
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Farrington Huguenin
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OLB Gimel President
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB Russell Hansbrough
NFL Workout Updates: 12/18/18
Here is the latest from the workout circuit, all links going to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM Radio’s Twitter account (unless otherwise noted).
Arizona Cardinals
- S Shamarko Thomas (link)
Buffalo Bills
- QB Garrett Gilbert, TE Erik Swoope (visit), QB Logan Woodside (Twitter links via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak and Field Yates)
Green Bay Packers
- QB Paxton Lynch (link)
Los Angeles Chargers
- DE Avery Ellis (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- DE Terence Fede, LB Lorenzo Mauldin (link)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Farrington Huguenin (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Greg Auman)
Washington Redskins
- CB Dexter McDougle (Twitter link via Yahoo.com’s Jordan Schultz)
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/18/18
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Chris Jones, CB Deatrick Nichols
- Waived: CB Dontae Johnson, CB Quinten Rollins
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Jeremy Langford
Buffalo Bills
- Signed off 49ers’ practice squad: WR Victor Bolden
- Placed on IR: RB Marcus Murphy
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Chris Worley
- Placed on IR: LB Malik Jefferson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: DT John Atkins
- Placed on IR: DL Da’Shawn Hand
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Jaguars’ practice squad: WR Allen Lazard
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: DT Kendrick Norton
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
New York Jets
- Signed off Patriots’ practice squad: T Eric Smith
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: DB Rico Gafford, DT Gabe Wright
- Waived: LB Emmanuel Lamur
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Tyvis Powell
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed off Jaguars’ practice squad: RB Bo Scarbrough
- Placed on IR: G Jordan Simmons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Donnie Ernsberger, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
- Placed on IR: TE Alan Cross, S Justin Evans
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DB Harlan Miller
- Placed on IR: CB Joshua Holsey
Bucs Work Out QBs Jones, Peterman
The Buccaneers have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, but none of their passers’ statuses with the team are guaranteed beyond this season.
Tampa Bay worked out Landry Jones and Nathan Peterman on Tuesday, Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan tweets. Wide receivers Devin Smith and Bradley Marquez were also among the players who took part in Tuesday’s tryout.
The first day teams can sign players to reserve/futures contracts is New Year’s Eve, so teams will be looking for possible adds. While Jones would not profile as a developmental project, having been a backup for several years, Peterman would.
Despite his struggles when called upon in a two-year career, Peterman has now worked out for three teams. Prior to his Bucs audition, the Lions and Broncos brought him in. Other teams may have their eye on Peterman for a futures deal, with The Athletic’s Greg Auman noting (via Twitter) the former fifth-round pick has other workouts scheduled.
Ben Roethlisberger‘s backup for a few seasons, Jones saw the Steelers go with Joshua Dobbs and rookie Mason Rudolph this year. Jones landed with the Jaguars, but the stay was brief. He also worked out for the Redskins, Bills, 49ers, Patriots and Cowboys this year.
Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s contract expires at season’s end, and the Bucs can part ways with Jameis Winston free of charge as long as he passes the fifth-year option physical. It’s not certain Tampa Bay will jettison Winston, but the expected new coaching staff may not be too keen on the embattled and often erratic passer being around on a $20MM salary. Third-stringer Ryan Griffin is also a free agent at season’s end.
Rival Clubs To Pursue Dirk Koetter, Todd Monken For OC Jobs
- The Buccaneers are expected to move on from head coach Dirk Koetter at the end of the season, but La Canfora writes that Koetter is still highly-respected as an offensive coordinator and plenty of teams with OC vacancies this offseason will be pursuing him to fill that role. Koetter’s own OC in Tampa, Todd Monken, will also be a highly-coveted offensive coordinator candidate in 2019 assuming the Bucs cut ties with him.
DeSean Jackson Out Against Ravens
- The Buccaneers are still somewhat alive in the playoff race, but they’ll be playing the Ravens this week without receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson will be missing his third straight game with a thumb injury. While the Bucs would surely love to have Jackson out there against a stingy Baltimore defense, Chris Godwin has filled in just fine in his place across from Mike Evans. All signs continue to point toward Jackson and Tampa Bay separating at the end of the year.
Jason Licht Safer Than Dirk Koetter?
- It is possible DeSean Jackson has played his final game with the Buccaneers. Playing on a contract that includes no additional guaranteed money, the 32-year-old wide receiver had his injured thumb immobilized, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets. Jackson has been unable to grip footballs with his injured hand, forcing him to miss the past two Bucs games. He had previously played through this malady, per Auman (on Twitter). Tampa Bay’s top deep threat hopes to play again this season, but that’s not a lock. And with a nonguaranteed $10MM base salary on the Bucs’ books next year, Jackson is a prime release candidate in 2019.
- Most believe Buccaneers GM Jason Licht has a better chance of returning in 2019 than Dirk Koetter does, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com writes. Despite the Bucs still staring at what will likely soon become an 11-season playoff drought, Licht’s ability to draft and extend the likes of Mike Evans and Cameron Brate has pleased ownership, Laine adds. Licht signed an extension that takes him through the 2019 season, but it remains possible the Glazers move on from he, Koetter and Jameis Winston and start fresh next year.