NFL coaching carousel: Ranking the most attractive openings
By Ian Wharton
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the most difficult team to rank. On one-hand, they boast the most ready-to-win offense of any team ranked to this point. Even if forcing the next staff to start Jameis Winston, the to-be fifth-year quarterback has played well for stretches and shows potential more often than not. It’s the defense that’s been the issue in Tampa Bay.
The team lacks cap space as currently constructed, but can easily open more by redoing their stars’ deals. Receiver Desean Jackson may be jettisoned but it wouldn’t be impossible to replace him through the draft. Moving more resources into the secondary is a must anyways.
The team lacks any competent cornerbacks despite heavily investing into the position recently. Adding a quality veteran is a must after Brent Grimes stole $8 million this past year. But just changing over the staff may bring the development the team needs from talented corners M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis.
The biggest negative about the Buccaneers is general manager Jason Licht. Licht’s recent drafts give little reason for him to still be around, and forcing him upon a new staff is a bad decision by ownership.
Also, if Winston doesn’t work out, then this team will be in the same spot one-year ago. Ownership must be willing to green-light a potential trade up should the new staff fall in love with Dwayne Haskins in the draft.
Hitting on this hire could propel the Buccaneers into the playoffs as soon as 2019. They have that upside and star-power on the roster. The fringe players simply saw no development under the previous regime.
The wrong hire could send the franchise into another tailspin and this could be a major rebuild after next season as well. Their margin for error is small, and the range of outcomes is the most extreme of any of these jobs.