Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers fire offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich

Following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round playoff exit on Monday night, the organization has reportedly fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. According to Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud, the firing is just the first of many planned amid an offseason overhaul.

“The Bucs have fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich,” Stroud reported on Thursday. “The team is making sweeping changes to their coaching staff following an 8-9 regular season and wildcard loss to Dallas. As many as five offensive assistants and two on defense are expected to be let go.”

The Buccaneers lost in a 31-14 rout versus the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night in the wild card round of the playoffs. Dallas’s defense held the Bucs scoreless in the first half.

Now, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles has the opportunity to install a new offense before the 2023 season. It’s unclear what these moves signify in the great Tom Brady retirement debate.

Leftwich out as Bucs offense slumps

Byron Leftwich coached the Buccaneers offense for four seasons and stuck through the transition from Bruce Arians to Bowles as head coach. He won a Super Bowl with the team in 2020 but the Bucs have had early exits from the playoffs since then.

Although Tampa Bay did make the playoffs this season, the offense slumped to No. 25 overall. The run game in particular ranked last in the league, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. The Bucs’ running backs scored just five rushing touchdowns all season.

Imbalance in the offense was on full display in the team’s loss versus Dallas on Monday night. After getting behind early, the Bucs finished with 12 rushing attempts and 66 passing attempts.

Last offseason, Leftwich was considered to be a front-runner for the open job in Jacksonville where he once played. However, the Jaguars went with Doug Pederson instead, and they’re now in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2017.