As the Buccaneers seek out Liam Coen‘s replacement, their list of offensive coordinator candidates continues to grow. The Rams’ staff in particular remains an area of interest for Tampa Bay. 
Dave Ragone interviewed with the Buccaneers on Tuesday, per a team announcement. He is the third member of Sean McVay‘s Los Angeles staff to speak with Tampa Bay for the team’s OC opening. For the second straight offseason, the Buccaneers are on the lookout for a new offensive coordinator with Coen backing out of his agreed-upon new Tampa deal to speak again with the Jaguars and ultimately take their head coaching position.
Ragone’s NFL coaching tenure began in 2011 with the Titans, including one season as the team’s quarterbacks coach. He has held that same role with the Bears as well as the Rams for this past campaign. In between, the 45-year-old worked as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator during Arthur Smith‘s 2021-23 run as Atlanta’s head coach. Smith called plays during that span, but Ragone nevertheless qualifies as a candidate with OC experience.
Atlanta finished no better than 17th in yards or 15th in scoring in a season with the Smith-Ragone tandem in place. The former was able to immediately secure an OC position last offseason with the Steelers, though, and it will be interesting to see if the latter can do the same in the near future. On the other hand, this marks the first time Ragone has drawn interest in the 2025 hiring cycle.
Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley is a popular name on the OC circuit at the moment, with the Jets in particular being a team to watch as a potential destination. Especially if Caley – who has also spoken with the Bucs – departs, Ragone would represent one of the Rams’ options to take on an increased role as part of McVay’s staff. Needless to say, Los Angeles’ situation on the sidelines could change more than once by the time every coordinator position is filled.
Via PFR’s OC/DC Tracker, here is an updated look at where things stand with the Buccaneers:
- Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/25
- Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/27
- Josh Grizzard, pass-game coordinator (Buccaneers): Rumored candidate
- Dave Ragone, quarterbacks coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/28
- Nate Scheelhaase, offensive assistant/passing game specialist (Rams): Interviewed 1/27
- Grant Udinski, assistant quarterbacks coach (Vikings): Interviewed 1/25
Why not interview
1.) Will Stein from Oregon?
2.) Jon Gruden, give him something to do…. instead of listening to him whine about the ‘Jet’ sweep that did not work
I thought the Jet Sweep sucked too, but Jon should be able to come back to the league!!! I know, I miss him
How many OC’s has Baker gone through in his NFL career? Seems like a new one each year!