This marks Tampa Bay’s first internal meeting about replacing Coen, who backed out of an extension agreement to join the Jaguars as HC. Coen’s decision has left the Bucs searching for a new OC for a third straight offseason. The team fired Byron Leftwich after the 2022 slate and saw Dave Canales leave for the Panthers’ HC job last year. Now, Coen — who yo-yoed between pro and college OC posts for most of this decade — is changing jobs again.

Coen initially brought Grizzard to Tampa, adding him from Mike McDaniel‘s Miami staff. Grizzard, 34, has been in the NFL since 2017; he spent his previous seven seasons with the Dolphins, working under Adam Gase, Brian Flores and then McDaniel. Grizzard moved up from the quality control level to coach Dolphins wide receivers from 2020-21, but McDaniel dropped him back down for the 2022 and ’23 seasons. The Bucs eventually poached him for their pass-game coordinator role.

The Bucs are not expected to allow Coen to bring contracted staffers with him to Jacksonville, as that separation left them feeling burned. GM Jason Licht is rumored to be “furious” at Coen for the way he left, which featured the new Jags HC dodging calls from Bucs brass as he discretely negotiated a deal to leave. As Coen will call plays in Jacksonville, Baker Mayfield will have a sixth play-caller over the past five seasons.

Although Grizzard came to Tampa during Coen’s stopover, the Bucs could ensure some continuity for Mayfield by promoting from within. Of course, Grizzard being on the QC level as recently as 2023 could give the team pause due to experience. Three Rams staffers may be sought for a semblance of continuity as well. Via PFR’s OC/DC Search Tracker, here is where the Bucs’ process stands:

• Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/25
• Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/27
• Josh Grizzard, pass-game coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/29
• 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

Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis already interviewed for the job, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, and and Rams pass-game coordinator and tight ends coach Nick Caley will interview on Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

This is Lewis’ first connection to an OC vacancy after a short but successful coaching career in Tampa Bay. The 39-year-old, a former NFL quarterback himself, coached Baker Mayfield to the two best seasons of his career in 2023 and 2024, the latter of which featured top-three finishes in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and success rate. Mayfield’s 106.8 passer rating in 2024 was 106.8, 10 points higher than his previous record, a remarkable turnaround for the former No. 1 overall pick. That reflects well on Lewis and will likely keep him in OC conversations in future offseasons if he doesn’t get the job in Houston.

Caley was a longtime Patriots assistant under Bill Belichick before joining the Rams in 2023 as tight ends coach. He added pass-game coordinator to his title in 2024, helping Los Angeles manage injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua on their way to the playoffs. While the Rams’ tight ends haven’t put up flashy statistics under Caley, they have been a crucial part of the offense as blockers. The 39-year-old coach has already interviewed for the Buccaneers’ OC job and has been mentioned as a frontrunner for the same gig with the Jets.

While Lewis has not worked directly under McVay, he will still be a branch on McVay’s coaching tree after working under Liam Coen in Tampa Bay. Coen began his NFL coaching career as an offensive assistant in Los Angeles in 2018 and later served as offensive coordinator in 2022.

Lewis and Caley are the third and fourth official candidates on Texans’ OC list, though a few additional coaches have been connected with the position. Here’s an overview of their search so far:

• Nick Caley, tight ends coach/pass-game coordinator (Rams): To interview 1/30
• Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Interviewed 1/27
• Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Ohio State): Team has interest
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate; hired by Seahawks
• Bill Lazor, senior offensive assistant (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
• Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/27
• Ben McDaniels, wide receivers coach/pass-game coordinator (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
• Jeff Nixon, offensive coordinator (Syracuse): Interviewed 1/27

The Cowboys, Raiders and Jaguars met with Saleh. Jacksonville had scheduled two meetings with the four-year New York HC, but after it became clear Liam Coen was the team’s preferred choice, Saleh and the Jags pressed pause on a second interview that never happened. Coen maneuvered his way into a favorable deal in Jacksonville, where the new HC will have significant input into the team’s GM hire.

[RELATED: Coen Eyeing Buccaneers’ Mike Greenberg For GM?]

Had Coen stuck with his agreement to stay with the Buccaneers, Saleh may have been set for another reunion. The Jaguars were prepared to go with Saleh had Coen stayed in Tampa, a GM informed the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora. This would have brought Saleh back to the team that employed him as linebackers coach under Gus Bradley.

The Jets’ freefall after Saleh’s October firing reflected well on the head coach, as well as it could on a leader that did not post a .500 season. His two 7-10 slates with Zach Wilson as the primary QB, before a Broncos trade dropped the former No. 2 pick to the third-string tier, also aged well. Saleh could well find himself back on the HC radar in 2026, should he stabilize the 49ers’ defense. It is also interesting the Jags had Saleh positioned above Patrick Graham. The three-year Raiders DC did meet twice with the Jags, and he has also since met about the DC job. This would make it rather surprising if Graham is not Coen’s pick to become DC, but it does not appear he was a true threat to be the team’s head coach.

Coen’s maneuvering to Jacksonville ruffled feathers in Tampa, as he avoided calls from prominent Bucs staffers — Jason Licht, Todd Bowles and Mike Greenberg among them — on the day he was supposed to sign an extension. Coen had delayed the signing, as he had informed the Jaguars he was back in after they fired Trent Baalke. As for the GM of his previous team, the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud notes Licht is “furious” with how Coen left. Coen did express remorse for how he left the Bucs but noted he spoke with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and others on offense to inform them he was leaving for Jacksonville. Mayfield offered encouraging words to Coen on his way out, the new Jags HC revealed.

Shad Khan has not determined who Baalke’s successor will be, but he said Tuesday that former Jags tackle Tony Boselli will have a role with the franchise moving forward. Khan confirmed the 52-year-old Hall of Famer was part of the team’s HC search. Coming into the league as the Jaguars’ first draftee (in 1995), Boselli played in a golden era for left tackles. Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace beat Boselli to the Hall of Fame, as injury trouble cut Boselli’s career short. But he earned first-team All-Pro recognition from 1997-99. He will now hold an undetermined role with the team.

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

The Bucs are not expected to allow any contracted assistants to make lateral moves and join Coen in Jacksonville, but they would not be able to block a coordinator interview or a GM meeting involving a promotion. This may bring popular GM candidate Mike Greenberg back into the picture soon. Coen is believed to be eyeing his short-lived Tampa coworker.

[RELATED: Trent Baalke’s Presence Impacted Jags’ Ben Johnson Pursuit]

The new Jaguars HC is “pushing hard” to bring Greenberg over from Tampa, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline notes. The matter of Greenberg wanting this job, per Pauline, may be a potential issue. Thus far, no interview requests have gone out. But with Coen hired, the Jags need a front office boss to replace Baalke. Of course, Coen is expected to have a significant say in this process; that could then make this a less powerful GM job once the dust settles.

Coen having the opportunity to drive a GM search despite having only been an NFL coordinator for two seasons, on-and-off stints with the two nonconsecutive Kentucky OC seasons sandwiched in, is unusual. First-time HCs are not regularly given this opportunity, but with the Jags making a major change — the belated Baalke firing — in order to convince Coen to take a second interview and thus sign on, the 2024 Bucs OC pounced on an opportunity to exert leverage.

Greenberg was believed to be one of the Bucs power brokers who attempted to reach Coen during the play-caller’s off-grid stretch on his way out of Tampa. After agreeing to an extension to stay with the Bucs, Coen backtracked once the Jags fired Baalke. The Jags wanted Coen to keep his interview schedule private, allowing the team to interview Patrick Graham and comply with the Rooney Rule, and this led to him dodging calls from Greenberg and Bucs GM Jason Licht. Although Coen is believed to have eventually told Todd Bowles what he was up to, this was far from a smooth exit. On that note, it would be interesting if Greenberg — a 15-year Bucs staffer — would consider jumping ship given the way Coen left town.

Greenberg met with the Jets during their recent search and met about the Panthers’ vacancy last year. Instrumental in helping the Bucs maneuver to land Tom Brady and then rearm for a Super Bowl LV title defense by ensuring the entire starting lineup returned, Greenberg helped the Bucs pay the likes of Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tristan Wirfs this past offseason. Losing Spytek and Greenberg in the same offseason would deal a blow to the Bucs, but it is far from certain if the latter would follow Coen after one year together. GMs rarely receive second chances, so identifying the right fit is paramount for rising execs.

On that note, Jones adds the Bucs should not be expected to let any coaches out of their contracts to follow Coen to Jacksonville. Bowles, Jason Licht and assistant GM Mike Greenberg attempted to reach Coen on Thursday, when he was supposed to sign his Bucs extension. Coen had already delayed the signing. The one-and-done Tampa Bay OC had even fibbed about a personal matter to continue his Jags negotiations, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter indicated during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the Bucs were plenty irked about his exit process.

Here is the latest from the NFC side of the coaching carousel:

• The Bucs have completed four interviews with outside candidates, but an internal Coen replacement option has surfaced as well. Pass-game coordinator Josh Grizzard is on the radar to be promoted, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes. Grizzard, 34, has been in the NFL since 2017 and joined Bowles’ staff to work under Coen. The Bucs thought they had avoided a scenario in which they use a fourth OC in four seasons, via the Coen agreement, and Mayfield will now have a sixth play-caller since the 2021 campaign. An internal promotion would help ensure some familiarity.
• Mike Kafka is still in the running for the Saints‘ HC job, though Kellen Moore and Mike McCarthy may be more likely to land the job. If the Giants’ OC were to pull an upset and jump from a 3-14 team to another club’s top coaching job, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan notes he would be expected to bring Wink Martindale with him as DC. Kafka and Martindale worked together in New York for two seasons, before the latter’s explosive 2024 exit. Martindale, who spent the 2024 season as Michigan’s DC, interviewed for the Colts and Falcons’ DC jobs this month.
• Acting swiftly to fill the void created when Kelvin Sheppard made the jump to replace Aaron Glenn, the Lions are elevating another recent NFL linebacker. Detroit will promote Shaun Dion Hamilton to its LBs coaching post, 247Sports.com’s Matt Zenitz tweets. Hamilton attempted to make the Lions’ active roster in 2022 but instead found a job on their coaching staff. Dan Campbell hired Hamilton, an ex-Washington defender, as an assistant. He moved up to assistant LBs coach in 2023, and at 29, is climbing the ladder again.
• The Falcons are making two hires for Jeff Ulbrich‘s defensive staff. They added Mike Rutenberg as pass-game coordinator and Nate Ollie as D-line coach. Rutenberg will follow Ulbrich from the Jets, having coached their linebackers for four seasons. The Robert Saleh hire oversaw the development of Quincy Williams from waiver claim to All-Pro, while Ollie was also on Saleh’s first Jets staff. The Colts hired him as D-line coach in 2022, and he landed with the Texans as assistant D-line coach last year.
• The Cardinals are losing their linebackers coach to a college coordinator role. Virginia Tech hired Sam Siefkes to be its next DC. Jonathan Gannon had hired Siefkes after two years as a Vikings assistant. Prior to that, he had served in the college ranks, heading up Wofford’s defense. Additionally in Arizona, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the team is not bringing back D-line coach Derrick LeBlanc. On the Dolphins’ staff before heading to Arizona in 2023, LeBlanc had spent nearly two decades at the college level.

Caley interviewed for the Bucs’ OC post Monday. Caley follows Nate Scheelhaase as Rams assistants to meet with the Bucs about this job. Caley, the Rams’ pass-game coordinator, met virtually with the Bucs about the position.

Although Caley and Coen both come from the McVay tree, the two did not work together in Los Angeles. Caley arrived in L.A. as tight ends coach weeks after Coen returned to be Kentucky’s OC. Most of Caley’s career steps came in New England.

He had interviewed to move up to the Patriots’ OC post in 2023, but the team chose Bill O’Brien. Caley, who had spent eight seasons on Bill Belichick‘s staff, relocated after that decision. The Pats circled back to Caley in 2024, interviewing him twice about the OC position. But Jerod Mayo went with Alex Van Pelt.

The Rams’ TEs coach position has been somewhat of a launching pad in recent years. Thomas Brown had served in that role before becoming the Panthers’ OC; Caley has been a tight ends coach in each of the past eight seasons. The Patriots named Caley as Rob Gronkowski‘s position coach in 2017, and he stayed in that role through the 2022 season. McVay’s orbit has been a good place to fly for aspiring coordinators and HCs, and Caley’s name has now come up for multiple teams once again.

The Jets have shown interest in Caley, to the point he may be their top candidate, but no interview has taken place as of yet. Caley, 41, would be an interesting Bucs option due to his familiarity with McVay’s system. Coen came to Tampa after two stints under McVay, and Baker Mayfield doubled down on his 2023 rebound by throwing 41 touchdown passes and piloting the team back to the playoffs. With the Bucs feeling a bit burned by the way Coen left for Jacksonville, they can at least attempt to foster some continuity by poaching Caley from L.A. But they may be competing with the Jets, and perhaps other teams, to do so.

Updated 1-29-25 (10:45pm CT)

Offensive coordinators

Chicago Bears (Out: Chris Beatty)

• Declan Doyle, tight ends coach (Broncos): Hired
• Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Rumored candidate; staying with Lions
• Bo Hardegree, quarterbacks coach (Titans): Interview requested
• David Shaw, senior personnel executive (Broncos): Interviewed 1/25
• Israel Woolfork, quarterbacks coach (Cardinals): Interview requested

Cleveland Browns (Out: Ken Dorsey)

• Darrell Bevell, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/9
• Kevin Koger, tight ends coach (Falcons): Interviewed 1/10
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Interviewed 1/13
• Charles London, quarterbacks coach (Falcons): Interviewed
• Tommy Rees, tight ends coach (Browns): Promoted

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Brian Schottenheimer)

• Klayton Adams, offensive line coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/28
• Kevin Koger, tight ends coach (Falcons): Interviewed

Detroit Lions (Out: Ben Johnson)

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

Houston Texans (Out: Bobby Slowik)

• Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): To interview 1/30
• Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Interviewed 1/27
• Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Ohio State): Team has interest
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate; hired by Seahawks
• Bill Lazor, senior offensive assistant (Texans): To interview 1/30
• Thad Lewis, quarterbacks coach (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/28
• Ben McDaniels, wide receivers coach/pass-game coordinator (Texans): Mentioned as candidate
• Jeff Nixon, offensive coordinator (Syracuse): Interviewed 1/27

Jacksonville Jaguars (out: Press Taylor)

• Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach (Ohio State): Team has interest
• Tavita Pritchard, quarterbacks coach (Commanders): Interviewed 1/29
• Nate Scheelhaase, pass game specialist (Rams): Interviewed 1/29

Las Vegas Raiders

• Darrell Bevell, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/28
• Bo Hardegree, quarterbacks coach (Titans): Mentioned as candidate
• David Shaw, senior personnel executive (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate

New England Patriots (Out: Alex Van Pelt)

• Eric Bieniemy, former offensive coordinator (UCLA): Interviewed
• Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/18
• Thomas Brown, interim head coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/14
• Josh McDaniels, former head coach (Raiders): Hired
• Tommy Rees, tight ends coach (Browns): Rumored candidate; promoted by Browns
• Grant Udinski, assistant quarterbacks coach (Vikings): Interviewed 1/21

New Orleans Saints (Out: Klint Kubiak)

New York Jets (Out: Nathaniel Hackett)

• Mark Brunell, quarterbacks coach (Lions): Mentioned as candidate
• Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): Mentioned as candidate; early frontrunner?
• Tanner Engstrand, pass-game coordinator (Lions): Strong candidate
• Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): Team to pursue interview
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Mentioned as candidate; hired by Seahawks
• Scott Turner, interim offensive coordinator (Raiders): Mentioned as candidate

San Francisco 49ers

• Klay Kubiak, pass-game specialist (49ers): Promotion expected
• Noah Pauley, wide receivers coach (Iowa State): Interviewed 1/13

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Ryan Grubb)

• Thomas Brown, interim head coach (Bears): Interviewed
• Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Conducted second interview 1/21; staying with Lions
• Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Saints): Hired
• Byron Leftwich, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed
• Adam Stenavich, offensive coordinator (Packers): Interviewed
• Travis Switzer, run-game coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed
• Grant Udinski, assistant quarterbacks coach (Vikings): Conducted second interview 1/17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Liam Coen)

• Marcus Brady, pass-game coordinator (Chargers): Interviewed 1/25
• Nick Caley, tight ends coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/27
• Josh Grizzard, pass-game coordinator (Buccaneers): Interviewed 1/29
• 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

Defensive coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Jimmy Lake)

• Lou Anarumo, former defensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/15
• Derrick Ansley, pass-game coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
• Grady Brown, secondary coach (Steelers): Interviewed 1/17
• Matt Eberflus, former head coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/18
• Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed 1/14
• Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach (Jets): Hired
• Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/17

Chicago Bears (Out: Eric Washington)

• Dennis Allen, former head coach (Saints): Hired
• Lou Anarumo, former defensive coordinator (Bengals): Rumored candidate; hired by Colts
• Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): To interview
• Aubrey Pleasant, defensive pass-game coordinator (Rams): Interview requested

Cincinnati Bengals (Out: Lou Anarumo)

• DeMarcus Covington, defensive coordinator (Patriots): Interviewed
• Matt Eberflus, former head coach (Bears): Mentioned as candidate
• Al Golden, defensive coordinator (Notre Dame): Hired
• Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed
• Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Rumored candidate

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Mike Zimmer)

• Ryan Crow, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview requested
• Andre Curtis, safeties coach (Bears): Interviewed
• Matt Eberflus, former head coach (Bears): Hired

Detroit Lions (Out: Aaron Glenn)

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

Indianapolis Colts (Out: Gus Bradley)

• Dennis Allen, former head coach (Saints): Interviewed 1/17
• Lou Anarumo, former defensive coordinator (Bengals): Hired
• Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed 1/10
• Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed 1/15
• Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed

Jacksonville Jaguars (Out: Ryan Nielsen)

• Anthony Campanile, linebackers coach/running game coordinator (Packers): Interviewed 1/28
• 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 

• Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Retained
• Rob Leonard, defensive line coach (Raiders): Interviewed 1/27
• Karl Scott, pass-game coordinator (Seahawks): Interview requested

New England Patriots (Out: DeMarcus Covington)

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

New York Jets (Out: Jeff Ulbrich)

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

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Nick Sorensen)

• Gus Bradley, former defensive coordinator (Colts): Rumored candidate
• Robert Saleh, former head coach (Jets): Hired
• Brandon Staley, assistant head coach (49ers): Mentioned as candidate
• Deshea Townsend, defensive backs coach (Lions): Interviewed 1/9
• Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach (Jets): Rumored candidate

Tampa Bay conducted a virtual interview with Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady on Saturday, per a team announcement. The same is also true of Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinsky. Earlier today, it was learned the Buccaneers have submitted an interview request for Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase.

Prior to beginning his NFL coaching tenure in 2018, Brady had a long spell in the CFL. He served as offensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes as well as the Toronto Argonauts, winning a total of three Grey Cups in that span. After three seasons working with the Colts’ quarterbacks, Brady was promoted to OC and served in that capacity in 2021 and ’22.

The 45-year-old worked as a senior offensive assistant with the Eagles in 2023 before taking his current job in Los Angeles. The Chargers underwent a number of changes on the sidelines with the arrival of Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman this offseason, and one of the outcomes was increased efficiency from quarterback Justin Herbert (who posted a league-best interception rate of 0.6%). Brady’s role in that success landed him an interview with the Patriots for their OC posting this month.

Udinski began his college coaching career in 2019, and he followed Matt Rhule from Baylor to the Panthers to start his NFL tenure. After two years in Carolina, Udinski was hired by the Vikings as part of Kevin O’Connell‘s initial staff. For the past two years, the 28-year-old has worked as an assistant QBs coach and during the 2024 campaign he also had the title of assistant offensive coordinator.

Udinski was another coach who spoke with the Patriots about their OC gig before they elected to reunite with Josh McDaniels. He is also a finalist for the Seahawks’ vacancy, having conducted a second interview last week. The Bucs therefore may have competition for the services of Udinski – who, unlike Brady does not have coordinator experience – depending on how the teams evaluate him as a candidate for this year’s hiring cycle.

Tampa Bay appeared to have Coen in place for 2025 and beyond with a new deal agreed to during the week. In the wake of the Jaguars firing general manager Trent Baalke, though, Coen met with Jacksonville a second time and was ultimately hired as the team’s new head coach. Todd Bowles is thus in need of another new OC this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how his latest search plays out.

[RELATED: Jaguars Hire Liam Coen As HC]

Even just garnering a coordinator interview is a major career step for the fast-rising coach. Scheelhaase had a long run in the college ranks, including a one-year stop as Iowa State’s offensive coordinator. That performance helped him generate some NFL interest, and he ended up joining Sean McVay‘s staff in Los Angeles as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist.

The Rams’ passing offense left a bit to be desired in 2024, as Matthew Stafford‘s touchdown percentage and passing-yards-per-game mark flirted with his career-lows. On the flip side, Scheelhaase and the offensive staff helped squeeze a career-low 1.5-percent interception rate out of the QB (excluding his three-game showing in 2010), and his 50.1-percent passing percentage was the second-best of his career.

In Tampa Bay, Scheelhaase would be tasked with overseeing an offense that finished top-five in both points scored and offensive yards. While Coen got a career year from Baker Mayfield, the quarterback also showed success under former OC Dave Canales. Assuming Mayfield’s resurgence continues, Tampa Bay’s new OC can be confident that they’re inheriting an elite offense.

Scheelhaase lacks experience, but he would provide some continuity with his Rams-inspired offense. Coen was also a product of McVay’s system, and Bowles could look to once again pick from that coaching tree. The Buccaneers could also find that continuity within their current staff, and Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston says both pass-game coordinator Josh Grizzard and pass-game assistant John Van Dam are internal candidates for the gig.

When the Jaguars fired Trent Baalke not long after Coen declined a second interview, the AFC South club contacted its top candidate and asked he would reconsider in light of the GM shakeup, according to ESPN.com. Baalke’s presence was believed to be a deterrent for certain coaching candidates this year, and while Coen was among them, ESPN’s Michael DiRocco indicates the GM was not the main reason Coen initially declined a Jags second meeting. That said, Coen’s Wednesday call “embarrassed” the Jaguars, who abruptly changed course as a result.

Upon firing Doug Pederson on Jan. 6, Shad Khan called a full-on overhaul — which a Baalke ouster would have meant — “suicide” for the organization. Yet, barely two weeks later, he was gone. The Jags had seen Ben Johnson express issues with their setup, as Baalke was running a search that could have ended with him out the door — depending on the hire. That undoubtedly would have influenced the four-year Jags GM to go in certain, safe directions. Instead, he is out and Coen will now have a major say in who replaces the embattled exec.

Coen told GM Jason Licht he sought a record-breaking OC sum to stay in charge on offense, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, with Fox Sports’ Greg Auman indicating the Bucs were prepared to pay him would close to $4.5MM per year. We heard Wednesday the number would have been in the Vic Fangio neighborhood among top coordinator salaries. Coen will make much more with the Jags, who have been tied to authorizing “Johnson-level money.” Bucs ownership approved Coen’s raise but did not with to continue a negotiating battle with their one-year OC, Breer adds. Though, the sides were not done talking money.

The initial Tampa Bay offer emerged before Coen’s virtual interview with the Jaguars, which the Glazer family encouraged him to take. Bucs ownership, however, said its offer to Coen was contingent on him not taking a second Jaguars interview. (However, even had Coen signed a Bucs contract, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds NFL rules would have prevented the Bucs from blocking any further Jags meetings.)

Certainly realizing he had a great chance at the Jags job, Coen again asked the Bucs for more money. Tampa Bay ownership responded, per Breer, by confirming no additional raise would come. Although the Bucs wanted a Coen answer on their initial proposal by Monday, he stalled until Wednesday. During that wait, a report indicated the Bucs were prepared to lose Coen. Though, this was all before the Jags’ Baalke decision. Baalke’s previous presence in Jacksonville looks to have kept Tampa Bay’s offer to Coen viable.

Coen, 39, informed the Bucs he was staying and would sign an extension. That did not deter the Jags, who were the only team believed to be seriously considering Coen. This would have stood to limit Coen’s leverage. After all, he has not stayed with the same employer since the 2018-20 seasons, his first stint with the Rams, and his Rams OC stay did not go well in 2022. The Cowboys, Raiders and Saints did not interview Coen. But the Bucs talks doubled as his other option, strengthening his stance in this Florida battle.

Reports Thursday indicated the Bucs were unable to reach Coen, who was to sign the deal Wednesday afternoon, but he asked Licht if he could instead do so Thursday. By Thursday morning, the Bucs had not heard from him. Assistant GM Mike Greenberg contacted Coen about the contract of another offensive assistant. That call went unanswered, as did Licht and Todd Bowles efforts to reach the 2024 Bucs OC, per Breer, who adds Coen’s agent then informed the Bucs his client was dealing with a personal matter. After more Bucs attempts to reach Coen failed, he told Bowles of the personal matter Thursday afternoon while also informing his boss he was still considering the Jacksonville job. A Jags source then tipped off the Bucs Coen was in Jacksonville.

This component does not exactly make Coen’s handling of the situation look great, though Breer indicates the Jags wanted Coen to keep his belated Duval County visit secret. But he has successfully moved up the coaching ladder — albeit in a roundabout manner — with the extraordinarily rare chance as a rookie HC to effectively choose his GM. Kyle Shanahan had this opportunity in 2017, but he had certainly climbed to a higher NFL perch by the time the 49ers gave him that power. Coen is a two-time NFL OC, though the ex-Sean McVay hire only has two years on the job (and two more in college, at Kentucky).

Coen’s delay also gave the Jaguars the chance to meet the Rooney Rule requirement. They had interviewed multiple minority candidates already, but only one of those meetings (Robert Saleh‘s) was in-person. While Coen was negotiating, the Jags met with Raiders DC Patrick Graham, who could have canceled his meeting had word of the Coen talks leaked.

This also does not shine a good light on Jacksonville’s search, but this is hardly the only team to use the Rooney Rule as a box to check rather than giving strong consideration to hiring a minority candidate. Saleh’s second interview never happened, as the Coen matter moved toward the goal line, and the former is now back with the 49ers as DC.

Despite Coen’s uneven resume, many within the Bucs organization viewed him as HC-ready, ESPN.com’s Jeff Darlington tweets. In fact, Darlington adds that a scenario in which the team fired Bowles and promoted Coen was believed to have been in play if Week 18 had ended without a playoff qualification. This would have reminded of the Bucs’ decision to fire Lovie Smith and promote his OC (Dirk Koetter) in 2017. The Bucs also promoted from within to fill their current HC job, with Bruce Arians‘ resignation elevating Bowles, who is now looking for a new play-caller yet again.

Bowles has dodged firing rumors for years now, having mounted charges to the NFC South title in each of the past two after hanging on to secure the Bucs a playoff home game in Tom Brady‘s final season. The Bowles part of this messy divorce makes his status worth monitoring next season, but for now, he will set his sights on another OC search.

The Lions will add a run-game coordinator bump to their O-line coach’s title, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. This will ensure Fraley stays in charge of one of the NFL’s top O-lines, and it takes a name out of consideration for the Seahawks. The Lions had lost Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn and Terrell Williams this week.

Fraley’s wife, Danielle, initially broke the news her husband would be staying. Danielle Fraley mentioned Chicago as a rumored destination, which would have made sense given that Johnson is now running the show there. But Hank Fraley will continue for an eighth season in Detroit. He had joined Johnson in arriving under Matt Patricia, though Fraley has been in Detroit longer — since 2018. The Lions had hired him as their assistant O-line coach, before promoting him in 2020. Fraley has overseen one of the NFL’s top blocking groups since.

The Seahawks met with Fraley twice about potentially replacing Ryan Grubb; the second meeting took place in-person earlier this week. Seattle has Klint Kubiak and Vikings assistant Grant Udinski as its other present finalists. Both Kubiak and Udinski met about the job January 17. This Seahawks process is now dragging a bit, and it will be interesting to see whether the team chooses between the Saints and Vikings staffers soon or adds another finalist.

Fraley has been Detroit’s O-line coach throughout All-Pro Penei Sewell‘s career, and Frank Ragnow has been a regular Pro Bowler under Fraley. The Lions also saw Graham Glasgow rediscover his best form when back with Fraley, after he had struggled to justify a Broncos free agency deal. While Dan Campbell has plenty of work to do elsewhere on his staff, he will not need to worry about his O-line setup for the time being.

It is a bit interesting the Lions did not need to dangle the OC title for Fraley to stay, but with no known interviews commencing, the team would have needed to comply with the Rooney Rule to make that happen. That would mean one external minority is interviewed. Fraley will be set to be a top lieutenant under Detroit’s to-be-determined next play-caller.

Elsewhere on the Lions’ staff, Campbell has added a replacement for Williams. Kacy Rodgers, whose Buccaneers contract had expired, will take over as D-line coach, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Rodgers had interviewed for the Packers’ job as well. Rodgers, 55, had worked under Todd Bowles for the past 10 seasons, moving from Jets DC to Bucs D-line coach. The 55-year-old assistant has been in the NFL since 2003. Notably, Rodgers’ first NFL gig — as Cowboys DTs coach from 2003-04 — overlapped with Campbell’s time as a Dallas tight end. Rodgers moved up to Cowboys D-line coach during Campbell’s final Dallas season (2005).

The official announcement has now been made, with Russini noting that Coen went back home to Tampa Bay while his representatives finalized details with the Jaguars. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported earlier this evening that the two sides were in “active negotiations.” This will be a five-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

It was only 36 hours ago that we learned Coen was backing out of the sweepstakes to stick around as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. According to Breer, Tampa Bay was handing the coach an extension that would make him the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history. Coen would also get to stick in a familiar spot, would get to continue guiding Baker Mayfield‘s revival, and would be positioned to enter the head coaching cycle next offseason.

Things rapidly changed. The Jaguars fired Trent Baalke following reports that the GM was a deterrent to HC candidates. Following that development, it didn’t take long for Coen to reenter the conversation, as the coach reportedly took a secret trip to Jacksonville to meet with Jaguars leadership in person. We heard earlier tonight that the Jaguars were persistent in their attempts to get Coen to reconsider, and Russini says ownership called the coach directly to explain that they’d let him pick the next general manager while also paying him “Ben Johnson-level money.”

That last-ditch effort has apparently worked, as Coen is all but certain to be named the Jaguars next head coach. The offensive coordinator recently emerged as the favorite for the position after the team’s initial target, Johnson, landed with the Bears. Shad Kahn wasn’t going to let another candidate get away, especially after the Jaguars had to pivot off top option Byron Leftwich in 2022.

During that last hiring cycle, the team ended up opting for Doug Pederson, who lasted only three seasons in Jacksonville. While the Jaguars brought in a number of offensive and defensive coaches during their active search, it was believed that the organization was prioritizing a coach who could get the most out of franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.

Coen has recently garnered a reputation as someone who can maximize their QB, as he helped guide Mayfield to a career-best season in 2024. That showing also helped put Coen back on the head coaching radar following a few bumps with the Rams and Kentucky. This head coaching job will now represent Coen’s sixth unique gig in the past six years, and both the coach and the Jaguars are surely hoping he’ll be sticking around for the long-term.

[RELATED: Liam Coen Bows Out Of Jaguars’ HC Search, Agrees To Bucs Extension]

The Tampa Bay OC backed out of a second Jacksonville interview Wednesday; hours later, the Jags fired GM Trent Baalke. With Baalke gone, Coen appears more interested in the job. He is back on the radar, joining Robert Saleh, Patrick Graham and hopeful second interviewees Joe Brady and Kellen Moore in this search. With Coen back in play, it will be interesting to see if the Jags stick around to meet with Brady and Moore or if the former favorite lands a deal before then.

The Bucs had agreed on a raise for Coen to stay for a second season, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo connects the Baalke development to the young candidate being more interested in the job. Reports earlier this month indicated Baalke’s presence had turned off Jags HC candidates, and Coen almost definitely looks to have been among that group. After seeing Ben Johnson choose the Bears and Coen momentarily exit the picture, Shad Khan changed up.

Jacksonville is expected to hire a head coach before settling on a GM search, giving said HC considerable power. That understandably is appealing to Coen, who is huddling up with Jags brass barely 24 hours after initially refusing to do so. Coen is in Jacksonville, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who notes a deal may be close. Coen is only in the mix for the Jags job, but this would keep Brady and Moore in play for the other HC-needy teams.

In addition to the team’s decision to move on from Baalke, it sounds like the Jaguars’ persistence also helped lure Coen back to Jacksonville. Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz says the Jaguars “reached out repeatedly” with the logic that the coach would have to deny their inquiries multiple times. While the Jaguars are considering multiple candidates for the job, it sounds like Coen is the clear favorite. Schultz notes that a deal hasn’t been finalized, but Khan has identified Coen as “his guy.”

Meanwhile, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times says the Buccaneers haven’t spoken with Coen since yesterday afternoon, although that wasn’t due to a lack of trying. The Bucs tried reaching out to their OC but haven’t been able to reach him. Instead of immediately inking a new contract with Tampa Bay, Coen “secretly” traveled to Jacksonville to meet with the Jaguars. While The Athletic’s Diana Russini says the Buccaneers’ multiple calls to Coen have gone unanswered, ESPN’S Adam Schefter reports that Coen reached out to Todd Bowles directly to inform his boss of the renewed interest in the Jaguars job.

Coen’s stint as the Rams offensive coordinator didn’t go as planned, but the coach rehabilitated his image with a strong season in Tampa Bay. The new OC helped guide Baker Mayfield to the strongest season of his career, as the QB tossed 41 touchdown passes — 13 more than his previous career-high mark. As a result, Coen found himself on the head coaching radar, and it sounds like he’s currently in a can’t-lose situation. The coach can either return to a familiar spot in Tampa Bay before reentering the hiring cycle next offseason, or he can join a relatively attractive situation in Jacksonville.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Buccaneers inside linebackers coach Larry Foote is expected to interview for the Lions’ DC job, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets. Also known for his playing career, Foote is a Michigan alum and a Detroit native. He was with the Lions in 2009 and has been in the coaching ranks for 10 years now.

Aaron Glenn‘s extensive run on the coaching carousel ended Wednesday, as the Jets hired the four-year Lions DC. This marks new territory for Dan Campbell, who has yet to make an outside hire to replace a coordinator. Campbell promoted Ben Johnson to replace Anthony Lynn as OC in 2022 but faces the prospect of needing to look outside to replace Johnson and Glenn. Though names like Tanner Engstrand and Kelvin Sheppard have come up as options for the gigs, Foote looks set to have an opportunity on the defensive side.

A Bruce Arians hire immediately after his playing career ended in 2015, Foote jumped into a position coaching role. Arians hired Foote as his ILBs coach ahead of a 13-3 Cardinals season that ended in the NFC championship game. Foote followed Arians to Tampa in 2019 and has coached both the Bucs’ outside and inside ‘backers over the past six years. His stint as OLBs coach overlapped with the Bucs’ pass rush-driven surge to a dominant Super Bowl LV win, which featured Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul provide consistent pressure to close out the franchise’s second championship.

Coming up on the early PFR pages as a player, Foote spent most of his career with the Steelers. The off-ball ‘backer started for both modern Pittsburgh Super Bowl-winning teams, being part of the 2008 squad’s elite defense, before signing with his hometown Lions in 2009. Foote signed with Detroit in March of ’09, inking a one-year deal. He did not overlap with Campbell on the Lions’ roster; the current Detroit HC’s playing career wrapped after the winless 2008 slate.

Foote,44, returned to the Steelers after that Lions one-off and closed out his career with the Cardinals under Arians in 2014. He is now on Campbell’s radar to replace Glenn, and his Detroit ties make the candidacy a bit more interesting.