Josh Grizzard Being Thrown Into The Fire
July 30th, 2025
On-the-job learning.
Most offensive coaches and players shake their heads when Bucs coach Todd Bowles is mentioned.
That’s because Bowles likes to bring the kitchen sink at them, including blitzes some players never knew existed.
So Josh Grizzard, the first-time playcaller for the Bucs, admitted that he’s been on his toes this summer in training camp. That’s because Bowles isn’t letting up on his mad scientist ways of constant and creative blitzes.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Grizzard said. “It’s definitely a challenge. I knew that coming into it, but, every day, trying to figure out where the blitzers are coming from and trying to get to a good play has been a great test for the offense as well as myself.”
And just like any NFL rookie, Grizzard is still learning to be a playcaller. Every day, he thinks, being an offensive coordinator becomes easier.
“I do, absolutely,” Grizzard said when asked if he’s finding it easier to call plays. “Even back to the spring up to this point, there’s definitely much more comfort with it.
“The nature of some of the periods being 20 minutes or 25 minutes, where you’re calling plays back-to-back-to-back-to-back whether it’s the one’s, two’s, or three’s. It’s just 25-30 plays in a row, versus in the season – not that it’s easy – but you’re looking at a seven, eight, or 12-play drive that could last five or six minutes, whereas this one is 25 minutes and it’s nonstop thinking. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Grizzard is under a lot of pressure. He takes over one of the best offenses in the game, a powerful offense on a team expected to win playoff games. There is little margin for error.
Anything less than, say, a top-five offense and/or two wins in the playoffs will be a bitter disappointment for Bucs fans given how loaded the the team offense.
@aileenhnatiuk #greenscreen #fyp #nfl #bucs #tampa ♬ original sound – Aileen Hnatiuk
July 30th, 2025 at 7:56 am
“It’s just 25-30 plays in a row, versus in the season – not that it’s easy – but you’re looking at a seven, eight, or 12-play drive that could last five or six minutes, whereas this one is 25 minutes and it’s nonstop thinking. It’s been a lot of fun.”
I’m a fan of this. It serves multiply purposes in terms of Grizzard developing his playbook, shuffling personnel, finding out what works and what concepts need work. Even calling plays in volume, gives Grizz long cuts of tape to study & modify his looks.
This is Bowles’ 3rd year in a row having to prep a first-time OC and get him ready. What kind of helps is Bowles’ background as a DC playing a part in coaching Grizz up, because now you’ve got an HC you can draw from who can give you counters for how an opposing DC would try to stop play-x or play-y.
July 30th, 2025 at 8:08 am
His passing game will excell against Todd’s pass defense
July 30th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Early days in training camp, but the defense seems to be getting the better of the offense so far.
July 30th, 2025 at 9:55 am
I don’t remember these headlines the past 2 years… Either grizz is struggling or the defense made a leap. I don’t think we can brush this off
July 30th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Yes we can brush it off. This TRAINING CAMP! The times in heats for track stars are never near what they are in the finals. There is no continuity. Evans plays two plays then sits down. The running backs play one or two plays then a sub comes in. The plays are run with far less intensity. The game is slower.
July 30th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Seems to me from the last 50 years of following the Bucs, and the NFL in general… defenses generally are ahead in camp.
July 30th, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Dude is under a lot of pressure. Knowing the defense can’t even force a punt in a playoff game with a rookie QB when the whole world knew they were taking all the free 5 yard completions all game – he surely feels like he’s gotta score 50 a game to have a chance.
But, Todd is great at two jobs at the same time. He is.