Jan. 12, 2026, 9:18 a.m. ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on paper, have one of the better offenses on paper. When they are healthy, they even tend to play with the ability of one of the best offenses in the league. However, in 2025, they started out by living up to that potential but quickly fell off track and were never able to get back to where they started.

As a result, the Bucs fired first-year offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. That means they have to start over with their offensive philosophy as they look to pick the pieces back up for the offense.

They have already started with some interviews being completed, and have requested discussions with more minds. All in all, they are working on rebuilding this coaching staff as head coach Todd Bowles looks to save his job beyond the 2026 season. To do that, though, he has to nail this offensive coordinator hire, and we have five suggestions on who they should hire to fix this offense.

Mike McDaniel, former Miami Dolphins Head Coach

Mike McDaniel was hired by the Miami Dolphins to help build the offense up for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and for a short while, he did. Personally, I feel injuries halted his development, as well as the offensive line falling apart under former general manager Chris Grier. McDaniel remains one of the sharpest minds in the NFL from an offensive standpoint, so the potential is limitless with the pieces they have in place for him to play chess with.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator

Todd Monken is a familiar name for Bucs fans as he was with the team previously as a playcaller from 2016 to 2017. While his stint in Tampa Bay was short, his future stops in Georgia and Baltimore proved that he can adapt offenses to the pieces they have while also maximizing them. Monken helped the Ravens’ offense deal with a litany of issues while still getting the most juice for their squeeze in the process. The Bucs need someone like that with the injury history they have developed, and the depth they now boast at skill positions.

Kevin Stefanski, former Cleveland Browns Head Coach

This is an interesting and unlikely hire given his chances to land a head coaching job somewhere this offseason. He has a history with quarterback Baker Mayfield that may or may not complicate the idea as well, but the results those two got in Cleveland cannot be disputed, as they were one redzone fumble away from making the AFC Championship together. They won on the field and produced some good numbers in the box score as well. Getting the most out of Mayfield should be what the hire centers on.

Another hire that would be done with maximizing the offense, and one of the more likely ones to happen. Kingsbury helped rookie Jayden Daniels and the pieces of the Commanders’ offense reach new heights in 2024 before injuries completely derailed them. The Bucs have the pieces for Kingsbury find success, and Mayfield is the type of quarterback he has shown he can get the most out of his offense over the years of coaching he has under his belt.

Thomas Brown, New England Patriots Passing Game Coordinator

This may not have the most pop in terms of hiring, but Thomas Brown has shown he can rally the troops of the unit he coaches and help put young players in a position to succeed. In New England this year, he showed the passing attack could make Drake Maye become an MVP candidate with the receiving trio of Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Kayshon Boutte. He also utilized tight end Hunter Henry more as a passing game coordinator, and if he could do the same for Cade Otton, then this offense may unlock a new level.