Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fire Offensive Coordinator Leftwich

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making sweeping changes to their entire organization. According to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud, the team has fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Leftwich has served as offensive coordinator for the Bucs since 2019, but his role grew this season following the retirement of offensive-minded head coach Bruce Arians. The results were disastrous. After three straight years of finishing in the top three in the league in points scored, the Bucs' fell all the way to 25th in 2022 thanks in large part to a run game that ranked last in the league in rushing yards (1308) and rushing yards per attempt (3.4). 

The Bucs' struggles on offense in 2022 could lead to massive upheaval throughout the organization and on the roster. Quarterback Tom Brady is set to hit unrestricted free agency and is reportedly considering changing teams. Prior to 2022, the seven-time Super Bowl champion had never been part of an offense that ranked worse than 12th in points scored.

Leftwich will likely have to accept a demotion to quarterbacks coach somewhere in the NFL in order to rebuild his brand. Eventually, people will remember the role he played in one of the most glorious periods in Bucs history. He'll get another shot at an offensive coordinator position at some point.

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