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Byron Leftwich

NFL Staff Updates: Kelly, Leftwich, Fisher

March 20th, 2025 at 11:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Champ Kelly‘s continuous rise through the front office ranks of the NFL was put on hold last year when he took a slight step back with the Raiders after serving as their interim general manager in 2023. After parting ways with Las Vegas last month, Kelly has agreed to join the Dolphins as a senior personnel executive in 2025, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Beginning his front office career in the National Indoor Football League, in which he first served as a player and coach, Kelly entered the NFL in 2007 as a college scout for the Broncos, rising to assistant coordinator of pro and college scouting and, eventually, assistant director of pro personnel. In 2015, he joined the Bears as director of pro scouting before being promoted to assistant director of player personnel.

He then moved to Vegas, where he served as assistant general manager starting in 2022, eventually filling in in an interim role after Dave Ziegler was fired. While he was still in the running for the Raiders’ official general manager role, Kelly also interviewed for the Panthers’ open position that eventually went to Dan Morgan. After missing out on both jobs, he returned to Las Vegas with a slight demotion from interim GM back to assistant general manager. This offseason, Kelly auditioned for the Jaguars’ open job which was ultimately awarded to James Gladstone.

With his new role in Miami, Kelly will work roles in both pro and college scouting for the Dolphins. He’ll set himself up once again to start working towards another general manager opportunity.

Here are a few other updates from former NFL staffers, though these men have transitioned to the collegiate level of the sport:

  • After being fired in early-2023, former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich vowed to return to the NFL. Immediately following his dismissal, Leftwich interviewed for the offensive coordinator role in Baltimore that ultimately went to Todd Monken in 2023 as well as the Patriots’ head coaching gig that went to Mike Vrabel and the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator gig that went to Klint Kubiak in this last cycle. After failing to land an NFL job for the third straight cycle, Leftwich will reportedly take an assistant role with Deion Sanders at Colorado, per Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. It’s unclear exactly what his role will be with the Buffaloes, but it will be Leftwich’s first taste of college ball since he graduated from Marshall in 2002.
  • Lastly, former Titans and Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has earned another head coaching gig, per HBCU Premier Sports. Five years after his NFL coaching career came to an end, Fisher took an advisor role with Tennessee State under his former running back in Tennessee and then-head coach Eddie George. With George recently accepting the head coach job at Bowling Green State, Fisher will return to Nashville to coach the Tigers as his successor. This will be Fisher’s first coaching role since 2022, when he was the head coach of the Michigan Panthers of the USFL. Since then, Fisher has served as chief advisor for an Arena Football League team while also working as that league’s commissioner.

2025 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

January 26th, 2025 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last year, half the league changed up at offensive and defensive coordinator. As most HC-needy teams have now filled their open positions, the coordinator carousel has accelerated. Here is how the market looks now. When other teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-21-25 (1:59pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

  • John Morton, pass-game coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Press Taylor)

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Kevin Patullo, pass-game coordinator (Eagles): Promoted

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

  • Larry Foote, inside linebackers coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed
  • Kelvin Sheppard, linebackers coach (Lions): Promoted

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

  • Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Hired
  • Jonathan Cooley, pass-game coordinator (Panthers): Interview requested
  • Patrick Graham, former defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/27
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interviewed 1/28

Las Vegas Raiders 

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

  • Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/21
  • Terrell Williams, defensive line coach (Lions): Hired

New Orleans Saints (Out: Joe Woods)

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

  • Chris Harris, former defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/29
  • Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): To be hired

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

Seahawks Meet With Byron Leftwich For OC Position; Second Interview With Vikings’ Grant Udinski Scheduled

January 17th, 2025 at 12:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks continue to move forward in their search for an offensive coordinator. A new name has emerged as one of the team’s targets while the list of finalists grows.

Byron Leftwich recently interviewed with Seattle for the OC spot, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. Leftwich made it clear earlier this season he intended to return to an NFL sideline in some capacity during the 2025 hiring cycle. He met with the Patriots for their head coaching position last week, but a deal allowing him to lead a staff would come as a surprise.

Another coordinator gig would be more realistic, especially considering his success in that capacity with the Buccaneers. Leftwich helped guide the team to a top-three finish in scoring each season from 2019-21. The 2022 campaign witnessed a notable regression with Todd Bowles taking over from Bruce Arians as head coach, but Leftwich could rebuild his stock with another opportunity this year.

While Leftwich has met with the team once, the Seahawks are into the finalist phase by taking part in second interviews. Saints OC Klint Kubiak will speak with Seattle today, having already done so last week. The Browns showed interest in Kubiak as well before promoting Tommy Rees to fill their offensive coordinator spot. Kubiak remains on New Orleans’ staff for now, but since the Saints are among the teams in need of a head coach he has been allowed to seek out other opportunities.

Kubiak is joined by Grant Udinski as a finalist for the Seahawks’ gig. The latter has a second, in-person interview lined up for today, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Udinski is an assistant OC with the Vikings while also holding the title of QBs coach. The 28-year-old first joined an NFL staff when he followed Matt Rhule from Temple to Carolina in 2020. He took a role under Kevin O’Connell in his first year as Vikings head coach (2022), earning a promotion to his current role one year later.

After one season in place, Ryan Grubb was dismissed as Seattle’s offensive coordinator. Mike Macdonald will look to generate a rebound on that side of the ball for his second year at the helm, although before that can take place a decision on quarterback Geno Smith‘s future will need to be made. Whether it is Smith in place or another passer for 2025, the Seahawks’ next OC will be tasked with overseeing a step forward in the run game in particular.

Seattle has also interviewed Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown and Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley for the OC vacancy. It will be interesting to see if either of them wind up joining Kubiak, Udinski (and potentially Leftwich) as finalists.

2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker

January 15th, 2025 at 11:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy splitting up, seven teams have made coaching changes so far during this year’s cycle. Here are the candidates connected to each of the HC-needy franchises. If more teams make changes, they will be added to the list.

Updated 2-11-25 (11:40am CT)

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Patriots To Interview Byron Leftwich

January 7th, 2025 at 11:47am CST by Adam La Rose

Byron Leftwich recently confirmed his intention of returning to the NFL, and he has at least one suitor interested in speaking with him about a head coaching position. Leftwich will meet with the Patriots today, Mike Jones of The Athletic reports.

Leftwich spent three seasons working under Bruce Arians in Arizona, and at the end of his Cardinals tenure it came as no surprise the pair reunited in Tampa Bay. The former first-round quarterback worked as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-22. Since then, however, Leftwich has been out of coaching.

The 44-year-old generated some interest in the coaching ranks recently, but he has had his eye on a new NFL opportunity. Tampa Bay enjoyed notable offensive success for much of Letwich’s tenure, but after Arians was replaced as head coach by Todd Bowles the unit took a step back during the 2022 campaign. Leftwich interviewed for the Ravens’ OC position in 2023, and one year later he made clear his interest in reuniting with Mike Tomlin by taking on the offensive coordinator spot in Pittsburgh. The 2025 hiring cycle marks his next opportunity to receive a look.

Leftwich does not have head coaching experience, but he has been connected to HC openings before. Reports emerged in 2022 stating he was a candidate for the Jaguars’ head coaching position, with perceived tension with general manger Trent Baalke ultimately leading the team in another direction. Leftwich has since denied that he was ever offered the position, one which – as of yesterday – is once again open.

The Patriots had a 24-year run with Bill Belichick at the helm, and his successor took over last offseason. Jerod Mayo was long viewed as Belichick’s heir apparent, with a succession clause being added to his contract to prevent the team from needing to conduct an outside search. After one year at the helm, Mayo was dismissed, leaving owner Robert Kraft and the team’s front office (which will remain intact) to start over.

To no surprise, Mike Vrabel is seen as the top candidate for New England’s vacancy. Like Mayo, Vrabel has a past as a former Patriots player, and Kraft is known to hold him in high regard. The team must meet with at least two external minority candidates as part of the search process to satisfy the Rooney Rule, and Leftwich will qualify in that respect. That is not the case for Lions OC Ben Johnson, who is expected to interview with New England. Leftwich will join him in terms of candidates with an offensive background as the Patriots seek out a coach capable of developing quarterback Drake Maye over the short- and long-term future.

Byron Leftwich Seeking NFL Return

December 31st, 2024 at 9:49am CST by Adam La Rose

As the 2025 hiring cycle approaches, candidates for the three current head coaching vacancies (and others which will likely soon open) are emerging. Byron Leftwich hopes to be among the names to receive consideration for a position on an NFL staff this year.

The former quarterback transitioned to the sidelines under Bruce Arians in 2016 with Arizona, and he remained there for another two seasons. That spell included a partial stint as interim offensive coordinator before he and the rest of Steve Wilks‘ staff were let go after the 2018 campaign. Leftwich then followed Arians to Tampa Bay, serving as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator for each of Arians’ three years as head coach.

During that time, Tampa Bay won a Super Bowl and posted impressive offensive numbers, but the unit took a step back in 2022. Quarterback Tom Brady reversed course on his retirement decision, and with Arians no longer on the sidelines Todd Bowles was in place as head coach. The Buccaneers were eliminated in the wild-card round and Leftwich was dismissed. The 44-year-old has not coached since then, but he is looking to make a comeback this winter.

“I didn’t have the opportunities right after and this last year that I thought I would have, but I understand the process, and I understand that the whole world’s trying to get in that league,” Leftwich said of the NFL coaching market in an interview with The Athletic’s Mike Jones (subscription required). “Nothing should be given to me. Nobody owes me anything. So, I’m going to just work and see if I can have the opportunity to coach in that league again.”

Leftwich was mentioned as a candidate for a number of positions after his Bucs tenure came to an end, including the Jaguars’ head coaching position in 2022. The Marshall product played for Jacksonville during the first four years of his career, making him a natural option to take the gig in the wake of his time at the coordinator level. Reports emerged stating Leftwich and general manager Trent Baalke did not see eye to eye and that Leftwich turned down the opportunity to coach in Jacksonville, though. The former first-rounder denied that, saying he was never offered the position (one which ultimately went to Doug Pederson and may well be open again shortly).

Interest in certain college opportunities came up, but Leftwich has remained out of coaching during the past two years. He interviewed for the Ravens’ OC position in 2023 and expressed a desire for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator spot last year after Matt Canada was fired. Leftwich’s playing career ended in Pittsburgh under Mike Tomlin, who has remained complimentary of Leftwich’s capabilities as a coach. It will be interesting to see if he receives a look during the upcoming cycle.

The Jets, Saints and Bears are in search of a head coach, and other teams are likely to add to the list of openings once ‘Black Monday’ comes around. Likewise, several offensive coordinator positions will no doubt soon emerge. Leftwich is interested in returning to the NFL in one capacity or another, and as a result his name could be one to watch as the coaching landscape takes shape over the coming weeks.

Latest On Steelers’ OC Situation

November 24th, 2023 at 12:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

After Matt Canada spent Monday preparing for the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Bengals, Mike Tomlin informed him Tuesday morning he would not finish out his third season as offensive coordinator. This marked historically rare territory for the Steelers, who had not fired a head coach or coordinator in-season in 82 years.

Steelers players had voiced frustrations about the offense for weeks behind the scenes, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, and Najee Harris‘ public comments came days before Canada’s ouster (subscription required). While the team was united on keeping Canada during September and October, the run of poor performances on offense eventually led to the course change.

Regarding whose call this truly was, conflicting reports have come out. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac indicated Art Rooney II made this decision, while Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he was behind the call. The 17th-year coach taking responsibility is certainly on-brand, though The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly expresses doubt Tomlin truly decided to break with tradition and fire Canada. That said, Russini offers that it was indeed the veteran HC’s decision — after multiple discussions with Rooney — that produced the shakeup.

Calls for Canada’s firing came down last year and intensified this season. Tomlin gave Canada a third year, doing so after Kenny Pickett showed some promise late last season. The 2022 first-round pick has struggled this year and will enter Week 12 with just seven touchdown passes. The Steelers have been outgained in all 10 of their games, and they have not produced a 400-yard offensive game since Week 2 of the 2020 season.

Pickett’s close relationship with QBs coach and new play-caller Mike Sullivan did not affect this decision, Tomlin said. Sullivan worked as mostly a non-play-calling OC during his two-season Giants tenure. Though, he finished the 2017 campaign calling the shots for the Eli Manning-piloted offense, with Ben McAdoo being fired late in that season. Sullivan called plays for the Buccaneers from 2012-13. As the wheels began to come off for Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay ranked 13th and 30th offensively during Sullivan’s two seasons; the second came as the team transitioned to rookie Mike Glennon at QB.

The Steelers promoted their QBs coach to OC in 2021 (Canada) and 2018 (Randy Fichtner). Todd Haley was the team’s last outside hire for the position. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is the interim OC, though his lack of play-calling responsibilities do not point to long-term consideration here. Sullivan would seem the likelier candidate for the gig, based on his role and the team’s history. If the Steelers opt to go outside the organization, Kaboly adds Byron Leftwich has expressed interest in the job. The former Bucs OC made his interest known before Canada’s firing.

Leftwich would technically be an outside hire, but he has a past with the Steelers. He served as a Ben Roethlisberger reserve in 2008 and from 2010-12, joining longtime backup Charlie Batch in a deep QB room. Leftwich made one start for the Steelers, in 2012. The former QB spent four seasons as Tampa Bay’s OC. Despite Bruce Arians being an offense-oriented HC, he gave Leftwich the play-calling reins. This setup helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in Tom Brady‘s first season and the ageless legend led the NFL in TD passes (43) and yards (5,316) in 2021. Brady and Todd Bowles expressed dissatisfaction with Leftwich last season, however, and the Bucs canned him in January.

Leftwich, 43, interviewed for the Ravens’ OC job this offseason but is not currently coaching. Although Rooney may or may not have insisted Tomlin fire Canada, Dulac adds the longtime HC will be the one who selects the next OC. Though, ownership will obviously need to approve Tomlin’s pick.

2023 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

February 28th, 2023 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the head coaching carousel spun for several weeks, many teams made coordinator changes as well. Teams seeking new head coaches are conducting OC and DC searches, and a handful of other teams that did not make HC changes are also searching for top assistants.

This is a big year for offensive coordinator hires, with nearly half the league making changes. Here are the teams searching for new OCs and DCs. As new searches emerge, they will be added to the list.

Updated 3-1-23 (3:31pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals 

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Greg Roman)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Ben McAdoo)

  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach, (Rams): Hired
  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Kellen Moore)

  • Brian Angelichio, tight ends coach (Vikings): Interviewed 2/2
  • Thomas Brown, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed
  • Jeff Nixon, running backs coach (Panthers): Interviewed
  • Brian Schottenheimer, offensive consultant (Cowboys): Hired

Denver Broncos (Out: Justin Outten)

Houston Texans (Out: Pep Hamilton)

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Parks Frazier)

  • Jim Bob Cooter, passing-game coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
  • Tee Martin, wide receivers coach (Ravens): Interview requested

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Eric Bieniemy)

  • Matt Nagy, quarterbacks coach (Chiefs): Hired

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Joe Lombardi)

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Liam Coen)

New York Jets (Out: Mike LaFleur)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Shane Steichen)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Byron Leftwich)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Todd Downing)

Washington Commanders (Out: Scott Turner)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Vance Joseph)

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Dean Pees)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Leslie Frazier)

Carolina Panthers (Out: Al Holcomb)

  • Ejiro Evero, former defensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired
  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): Interviewed
  • Marquand Manuel, safeties coach (Jets): Interviewed
  • Kris Richard, co-defensive coordinator (Saints): Interviewed

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans 

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Renaldo Hill)

  • Derrick Ansley, defensive backs coach (Chargers): Promoted
  • Doug Belk, defensive coordinator (Houston): Interviewed
  • DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Patriots): Interviewed

Miami Dolphins (Out: Josh Boyer)

Minnesota Vikings (Out: Ed Donatell)

New Orleans Saints (Out: Ryan Nielsen, Kris Richard)

  • Joe Woods, former defensive coordinator (Browns): Hired

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Jonathan Gannon)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: DeMeco Ryans)

  • Vic Fangio, former head coach (Broncos): On radar
  • Chris Harris, defensive backs coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/31
  • Kris Kocurek, defensive line coach (49ers): On radar
  • Steve Wilks, former interim head coach (Panthers): Hired

Coaching Notes: Panthers, Kocurek, Leftwich, Titans

February 7th, 2023 at 9:53pm CST by Ely Allen

Yesterday, Joseph Person of The Athletic provided a breakdown of the Panthers‘ recent search for a new head coach that ended in the hiring of Frank Reich. There were a few notes of interest that we took away from the behind the scenes look.

The first note of interest is the revelation that, when interim head coach Steve Wilks interviewed for the official role, he laid out his full offensive plan for the search committee. Part of Wilks’ offensive plan relied on the pursuit of Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson as his offensive coordinator. Johnson’s year coaching a phenomenal season by quarterback Jalen Hurts made him a name to watch for many of the open offensive coordinator jobs around the league. He did end up interviewing with the Rams and Jets for jobs that went to Mike LaFleur and Nathaniel Hackett, respectively.

A second note of interest is likely a clue as to why Wilks didn’t end up as the official head coach of the Panthers. Of the nine candidates Carolina looked at for the position, seven had offensive backgrounds. Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has a belief that “offensive coordinators-turned-head coaches might have an edge in game management.” That explains why Wilks was so detailed in his offensive plan and, perhaps, how much of an uphill battle he faced.

Lastly, it was reported that Reich was becoming the clear choice for the job by his second interview. “The first time he came in, he was dialed in, laid out his plan,” Fitterer said. “Then when he came back in the second time, he took that plan and went deeper, went to a different level.” Reich was offered the position the next day, prompting an immediate response from the legal team representing Wilks and Brian Flores in their lawsuit accusing the league of racial discrimination.

Here are a few other notes of coaching developments occurring around the NFL:

  • Even though Wilks didn’t get the head coaching position he coveted, he ended up landing a top coordinator position in the league with the 49ers, following the departure of DeMeco Ryans. San Francisco defensive line coach Kris Kocurek received some interest for the Texans defensive coordinator position under his former coordinator and was in consideration for the job that Ryans vacated and Wilks took. Wilks apparently was able to convince Kocurek to stay in the Bay Area, keeping a respected defensive assistant on his staff, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
  • Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich could be headed to the college ranks, following his recent dismissal from Tampa Bay. According to Grace Remington of 247Sports, Leftwich reached out to Notre Dame about the offensive coordinator position vacated by Tommy Rees, who left to become the offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa. Leftwich has reportedly remained in contact with the head coach of the Fighting Irish, Marcus Freeman, and remains a strong contender for the job.
  • A slew of coaching updates in Nashville were provided earlier today, with a few smaller assignments sliding under notice. Formerly the running backs coach over star Derrick Henry, Tony Dews has transitioned to the tight ends coaching position for the Titans, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. It was recently reported that former Buccaneers assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust was making her way to Tennessee. Wilson provided clarification that she has been brought on in a defensive quality control role. Justin Hamilton will reportedly join her in a similar role. Finally, Wilson provided news of a departure, reporting that secondary coach Anthony Midget will not be retained in 2023.

Ravens Interview Byron Leftwich For OC

February 3rd, 2023 at 3:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Ravens’ offensive coordinator search moves into the finalist stage, the team has met with a recently fired play-caller with a Super Bowl ring. Mentioned as a candidate, Byron Leftwich has indeed met with John Harbaugh about the job, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets.

The four-year Bucs OC advanced to the finalist stage of the Jaguars’ head coaching search last year but backed out of the pursuit for that job. A year later, the Bucs canned him following a wildly disappointing season on offense. But Leftwich, whose initial three Tampa Bay offenses produced top-10 rankings in scoring, figures to have opportunities.

Leftwich has been let go twice thus far in his career; both instances came a year after Bruce Arians retirements. The Cardinals kept the Arians hire onboard in 2018 under Steve Wilks, and a Mike McCoy firing led to Leftwich’s promotion to offensive coordinator. The Cards’ struggled continued, with the team ranking last in scoring and total offense. Both Wilks and Leftwich were gone by season’s end. Arians brought his former quarterback charge to Tampa, and Leftwich turned his career around with the NFC South team.

Although Jameis Winston infamously completed the league’s first 30-30 season in 2019, the Bucs ranked third in both total offense and points. They actually dipped slightly in Tom Brady‘s first season, from a yardage standpoint, but Leftwich resided as the Bucs’ play-caller throughout his tenure. Arians obviously held a significant influence here, but the offense-minded HC delegated calls to his top offensive staffer. Brady bounced back after a down 2019 season, thriving in 2020 and ’21. The all-time great’s 2022 swoon preceded a retirement and Todd Bowles firing Leftwich.

The Bucs fell from second to 25th in scoring this past season, and both Bowles and Brady voiced concerns about Leftwich’s play-calling. The team’s run game was a particular disappointment, ranking as the worst per-game ground attack in league (76.9 yards per game) by nearly 10 yards. Despite the Bucs re-signing Leonard Fournette, the team rarely overcame its O-line issues and became a pass-reliant operation. Brady broke his own single-season completion record — set in 2021 — due to the imbalance.

It is unclear if Leftwich is a finalist for the job, but the Ravens have now spoken to 11 candidates. The Steelers also loom as a potential Leftwich landing spot.

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