Tampa Bay Buccaneers Release OC Jeff Tedford From Contract

By Josh Hill | Dec 5, 2014

Jul 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford looks on during training camp at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Tedford came back to the world of football to become an NFL offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay — a job that lasted less than a season.

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Lovie Smith as their head coach, he had already hand picked Jeff Tedford to run his offense. The former Cal head coach who had twice been named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year and had players like Aaron Rodgers while coaching, seemed like the perfect fit to rejuvenate the Buccaneers putrid offense.

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That didn’t happen — in fact, Tedford didn’t call a single game for the Buccaneers the entire season. A heart condition forced Tedford to have surgery before the season and he missed everything after that. He attempted to come back and ease his way into the job, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

As a result the Buccaneers released Tedford from his contract on Friday afternoon. Lovie Smith had kind words for Tedford in a press release announcing the mutual parting of ways.

"“Throughout these difficult circumstances, our primary concern was for Jeff’s health and well-being. After speaking with Jeff in recent days, it became obvious that a mutual decision to release him from his contract was the best way forward. We wish Jeff continued success in the next phase of his career.”"

This is careful wording, as Tedford wasn’t actually fired — even though he kind of was. He was released from his contract, which is a nice way of saying he can’t coach with the team anymore. That’s not the same as a firing but it’s the very close relative of being fired. Redford wasn’t let go because of a lack of talent though, it was all health related, which is more than worth pointing out.

He may stay away from football for the foreseeable future, but Tedford’s duties in Tampa Bay are officially over.

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