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Tampa Bay Buccaneers News & Rumors

Buccaneers Interested In Re-Signing WR Chris Godwin

January 28th, 2022 at 9:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of several big names scheduled to hit free agency on the Buccaneers is wide receiver Chris Godwin. While last season’s champions will have to make several tough decisions on which players to keep and let go, it appears Godwin will be one of their priorities. 

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bucs “have high interest in re-signing Godwin”. That would certainly be a worthwhile investment, considering his production so far in his career. Even in 14 games in 2021, the 25-year-old posted 98 catches for 1,103 yards and five touchdowns – already his second 1,000 yard campaign.

Godwin suffered a torn ACL in December, ending his season. Especially after Antonio Brown‘s departure from the team, his absence was felt in the Bucs’ passing attack. Fortunately, the surgery he had to repair the knee, performed earlier in January, was successful, and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Even if some teams are cautious making free agent offers due to the injury, Godwin would likely see a large market if he tests the waters. After playing on the franchise tag (set at $15.9MM) in 2021, a second tag would raise that number to just over $19MM if the Bucs decided to go that route. Instead, Fowler predicts “a sweet-spot deal that acknowledges the high-end market while protecting the team” as the ultimate outcome if he stays in Tampa.

Of course, much of Godwin’s plans will likely hinge on whether or not Tom Brady decides to return; even if he does, Godwin might still have the opportunity to be this year’s top wide receiver (with the potential exception of Davante Adams). He will therefore be central to the Bucs’ offseason, which will itself be one of the most intriguing around the league.

Byron Leftwich Moving Toward Jags’ HC Job?

January 26th, 2022 at 2:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

WEDNESDAY: More smoke is emerging here. The Jags and Leftwich continue to discuss a deal, with Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times noting the two sides are working to close out an agreement. A conflicting report, via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, pushes back a bit, indicating the Jags still have Eberflus in the mix and have not yet decided on a direction here (Twitter links). Nathaniel Hackett, who is a finalist for the Broncos’ job as well, is also not out of the mix, Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets. Hackett would certainly be an interesting decision, considering the Jags fired him as offensive coordinator in 2018.

Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com writes that the Jaguars “launched” contract talks with Leftwich on Tuesday before the two sides hit an impasse this morning.

TUESDAY: The chances of a Byron Leftwich-Jaguars reunion appear to be improving. The Buccaneers offensive coordinator went through a second Jaguars interview Tuesday, and momentum is building toward a return to the place where his NFL career started.

Leftwich conducted an in-person interview with Shad Khan and GM Trent Baalke, and Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes many around the NFL expect him to land the job. Leftwich joins Colts DC Matt Eberflus as those who have taken second interviews with the Jaguars.

Moving to Tampa after working under both Bruce Arians and Steve Wilks in Arizona, Leftwich has begun sending out staff feelers. Bucs wide receivers coach Kevin Garver and outside linebackers coach Larry Foote are under consideration for a Leftwich-led staff, Wilson adds. Garver, 34, has been with the Bucs throughout Arians’ tenure and began his NFL coaching career with the Cardinals in Arians’ first season (2013). Foote, 41, both played under Arians with the Cards and worked for him in Arizona and Tampa. Leftwich and Foote played together with the Steelers in 2008 and in the early 2010s.

The Jags were under different ownership when they drafted Leftwich seventh overall in 2003. Khan did not own the team during Leftwich’s four-year stay in Jacksonville, though hiring a former Jaguar — one who is now a Super Bowl champion play-caller — may count as a positive step after the Urban Meyer debacle. Here is how the Jags’ coaching search looks as of Tuesday night:

Raiders Request To Interview Todd Bowles

January 25th, 2022 at 2:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the most sought-after coaching candidates has received another interview request. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders have requested to meet with Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. 

Bowles has already been linked to the HC vacancies in Chicago, Jacksonville and Minnesota. The buzz around him shouldn’t come as a surprise, of course, considering the work he has done in Tampa Bay. In three years, he has overseen one of the league’s top defenses, which played a crucial role in the team’s Super Bowl championship last season. He signed an extension to stay on in his current role with the Bucs, but the door has always remained open for him to take a head coaching job if possible.

The Raiders, of course, have been connected to Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh since the beginning of the hiring cycle. They’ve also given interim coach Rich Bisaccia a chance to get the full-time position, as he interviewed last week to stay on board. Schefter adds that the interview with Bowles is set to take place in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Bowles, 58, had an up-and-down stint as the head coach of the Jets prior to coming to Tampa Bay. Given the interest being shown in him now, however, there seems to be a very good chance he will get a second opportunity to lead his own staff.

 

Le’Veon Bell Clears Waivers

January 25th, 2022 at 9:55am CST by Adam La Rose

After having been waived by the Buccaneers on Saturday, running back Le’Veon Bell has, not surprisingly, went through unclaimed. As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (via Twitter), he is now a free agent. 

[Related: Buccaneers Activate Leonard Fournette, Waive Le’Veon Bell]

Bell signed with Tampa Bay in December to provide depth for a banged-up halfback room. With Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones missing time down the stretch, Bell found himself in essentially the same situation as when he joined the Ravens earlier in the year. Season-ending injuries to J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards had Baltimore searching for veteran replacements, ultimately settling on Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray throughout the campaign.

The three-time Pro Bowler ended what wound up being a very brief stint in Baltimore with 31 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns. In Tampa Bay, meanwhile, he totalled 12 touches for 49 scrimmage yards, including one receiving touchdown. Prior to Fournette’s return, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard handled a larger share of the workload in the backfield.

Bell’s likeliest move may well have been to re-join the Bucs’ practice squad had they won on Saturday. Now that their season is over, and Bell went unclaimed, he is free to sign anywhere and continue trying to find a new permanent home in the NFL.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/24/22

January 24th, 2022 at 5:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Monday’s reserve/futures deals:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Byron Leftwich Gets Second Jaguars Interview

January 24th, 2022 at 5:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Byron Leftwich is getting a second look in Jacksonville. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Jaguars have scheduled an in-person interview with the Buccaneers offensive coordinator for tomorrow.

Leftwich, of course, entered the league as a 2003 first-round pick of the Jaguars and spent four years under center in Jacksonville. Following his playing career, Leftwich transitioned to coaching, and he’s recently made a name for himself on the sideline.

The 42-year-old has spent the past three seasons as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator, including a Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2020. Despite the Buccaneers offense dealing with a number of absences in 2021, the offense still ranked second in points scored and yards. After emerging as a HC candidate last offseason, Leftwich has been connected to both the Jaguars and Bears gigs this year.

Leftwich is one of many candidates for the Jaguars head coaching gig:

Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order

January 24th, 2022 at 8:55am CST by Adam La Rose

The Divisional Round has come to end, and after each game was decided on the final play, the season has come to a bitter end for another four teams. That brings the total number of squads locked into their first round draft position to 28. Interestingly, the Rams and 49ers are still standing after they each parted ways with top draft picks this past offseason. San Francisco’s first choice is currently slated to be 61st overall, while the Rams aren’t projected to be on the board until the 101st pick. For Los Angeles in particular, the decision is certainly paying off so far.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.

Here is the updated order after this weekend’s results:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-14
  2. Detroit Lions: 3-13-1
  3. Houston Texans: 4-13
  4. New York Jets: 4-13
  5. New York Giants: 4-13
  6. Carolina Panthers: 5-12
  7. New York Giants(via Bears)
  8. Atlanta Falcons: 7-10
  9. Denver Broncos: 7-10
  10. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
  11. Washington Football Team: 7-10
  12. Minnesota Vikings: 8-9
  13. Cleveland Browns: 8-9
  14. Baltimore Ravens: 8-9
  15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
  16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)
  17. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-8
  18. New Orleans Saints: 9-8
  19. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-8
  20. Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7-1
  21. New England Patriots: 10-7
  22. Las Vegas Raiders: 10-7
  23. Arizona Cardinals: 11-6
  24. Dallas Cowboys: 12-5
  25. Buffalo Bills: 11-6
  26. Tennessee Titans: 12-5
  27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13-4
  28. Green Bay Packers: 13-4
  29. Cincinnati Bengals: 10-7*
  30. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)
  31. Detroit Lions (via Rams)
  32. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-5*

* = Remaining playoff teams

Tom Brady’s Non-Answer About Return

January 23rd, 2022 at 8:39pm CST by Ely Allen

Tom Brady‘s 2021 season is over. Following a thrilling loss to the Rams in which the Buccaneers just fell short of their comeback bid, Brady was asked about how he will contemplate whether to come back or not. Brady’s thoughts were clearly still centered on the loss he had endured moments before. 

“I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. So, we’ll just take it day by day and see where we’re at,” Brady replied. He continued, “Truthfully, guys, I’m thinking about this game and not thinking about anything past 5 minutes from now.”

Our staff writer, Rory Parks, expanded quite a bit on Brady’s non-committal attitude going into the Divisional Round game, and it appears his attitude has not changed quite yet.

As a result of the one-year extension Brady signed last March, he is under club control through 2022, and he affirmed several months after he put pen to paper that he would honor his commitment. Indeed, he has long said that he wants to play until he is 45, and 2022 would be his age-45 season.

In brighter news for the Buccaneers, head coach Bruce Arians has already spread the news that he is not retiring. Through three years in Tampa Bay, Arians has already added a Lombardi Trophy to the case. The 69-year old plans to coach until he can’t anymore. He also told reporters (before today’s loss) that he would be “shocked” if Brady called it quits after this season. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see just how well Arians knows his veteran quarterback.

Buccaneers’ Bruce Arians Won’t Retire

January 23rd, 2022 at 5:53pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers are done, but head coach Bruce Arians isn’t. Moments after the Bucs’ heartbreaking loss to the Rams, the Bucs head coach confirmed that he’ll be back this fall (Twitter link via Sara Walsh of FOX Sports). That jibes with what Arians has been saying for years now, including his latest comments just last week. 

[RELATED: Brady On Future, Possibility Of Retirement]

“I’m coaching till I can’t,” said Arians, who will celebrate his 70th birthday in October (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).

However, it remains to be seen whether Arians will have Tom Brady under center next season. For what it’s worth, Arians told reporters on Friday (before today’s loss) that he would be “shocked” if Brady calls it quits.

“The way he was at practice, I would be shocked if he didn’t (play next year),” Arians said (via the Tampa Bay Times). “You know they have that Friday quarterback challenge, and he came flying out of the locker room, sprinting two or three fields away and couldn’t wait to get into the challenge. He was like a little kid. I would be shocked.”

Meanwhile, Arians may need to make some new hires to his coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich are both up for head coaching jobs and they could be poached as soon as this week.

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