Was Josh Grizzard A Factor In Mike McDaniel Loss?
January 21st, 2026
Fired Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
Did fired fall guy Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard have a hand in Mike McDaniel not taking the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator gig?
That may sound ridiculous, but Joe is exploring all options on this day of mourning across most of Bucs fandom. McDaniel, per reports, will join Jim Harbaugh’s staff in Los Angeles.
When McDaniel became Dolphins head coach, Grizzard was on staff had been wide receivers coach. McDaniel decided to keep him in a different assistant coach role.
A year ago at the NFL Scouting Combine, Joe spent private time with McDaniel to talk about Grizzard.
McDaniel talked about not wanting to lose Grizzard to Liam Coen’s Bucs staff in 2024, but he didn’t want to stand in Grizzard’s way. The two are close.
“I didn’t want to lose [Grizzard] but he also had the opportunity in Tampa to really contribute on a week-in-week-out basis that I thought he was ready for,” McDaniel said of Grizzard. “So to watch someone execute what is unchartered territory at the time but you’re fully confident [in him], it was really cool.
“We talked at length about him taking that opportunity and why he wanted to. He wanted to for the right reasons. He not only contributed to the 2024 Bucs, but he approached that whole process for [becoming an offensive coordinator] so he’d be ready for it. I can’t say enough things about the guy.”
McDaniel went on to tell Joe how much he appreciates his own NFL mentors, Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan and Gary Kubiak, specifically, and McDaniel said he saw Grizzard as worthy similar mentoring from him. He cited Grizzard’s work ethic and hunger.
So it’s very reasonable to think McDaniel asked Grizzard about everything related to the Bucs job, from working for Todd Bowles, to team culture, to Baker Mayfield and more.
Is it possible Grizzard left with a bad taste in his mouth and passed some of that on to McDaniel? Maybe not. Maybe so.
Joe will be intrigued if Grizzard joins McDaniel and Harbaugh in Los Angeles.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Almost too late to fire Bowles…..but not yet
January 21st, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Very good putting dotting the i’s and cross the t’s.
Your likely on to something.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Do not blame Grizz he had a better numbers than Canales and was a scapegoat. Not that he should not on went but the HC should of been right behind him.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:58 pm
so mike played the Glazer boys lol…
classic lol…
who hasnt played the Glazers in the NFL LOL
GO BUCS!!!
January 21st, 2026 at 12:58 pm
Let’s consider someone like fired Oklahoma State coach, Mike Gundy.
The reason he did not work out in the last couple of years is that he was horrible adjusting to the NIL transfer recruiting that others are doing.
Before that he was an offensive genius when he had reasonable horses in his stable.
January 21st, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Hmmm. Interesting. This season’s rash of (offensive) injuries would have presented issues for anyone. I dont care who you are. The irony is had the Bucs offense performed, Grizzard would be interviewing for HC jobs. Damned if you do damned if you dont.
Joe(s) can you find out what the heck they are planning on with the other side of the ball? I know offense sells tickets but the PRIMARY issue is the defense and we still have the same two guys driving the bus. What, if anything, will be different?
January 21st, 2026 at 1:03 pm
After watching the 50 year 10 part series I don’t understand how Ownership can make all the statements about winning and the fans but then retain Todd? Feels like a scam.
His best year was because of Liam.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Still feels like we are playing to not loose. Playing scared. Instead doing what is required to win. Welcome to the conservative/scared Clown Bowles show folks. It’s a Bucs life.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Interesting Joe. I don’t think it matters either way because Grizzard simply wasn’t ready for the role last season. He may grow from it and become a good OC in the future but, he dang sure wasn’t up to the task this past season. That was painfully evident. I wanted Bowles gone after this past season. I see nothing from him to make me believe he can turn this around. Nothing. After McDaniel, maybe Mike LaFluer or Scheelhaase from McVay’s staff could be had. Who knows? Not looking optimistic.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:06 pm
I have a hunch arians vouched for retaining his boy. So there way of fixing the toxicity is to fire the puppets but retain the puppet master? As if the last 2 months of the season weren’t bad enough, now the off season is following suit. Boy, makes a guy really have faith in next season
January 21st, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Geno711, coming from Oklahoma. Yes on Lee Roy Selmon and Baker Mayfield. No on Mike Gundy and Jon Mateer.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:09 pm
@johnjythemoon”
“Do not blame Grizz he had a better numbers than Canales and was a scapegoat”
Bingo
Everyone knows where the blame lies but the great coverup is on
January 21st, 2026 at 1:15 pm
A Bucs franchise on the downward trajectory is why. Next question
January 21st, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Chucky still around?
January 21st, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Grizzard seemed more than adequate through the first half of the season, and injuries definitely impacted the second half. It’s unclear what exactly led to his dismissal, but continuity should have had value if a clearly superior upgrade wasn’t available and interested. Maybe the change speaks more to spreading accountability off of Bowles, but it’s surprising that the team has gone from 6-2 and “great culture” to losing and a complete potential overhaul. They’ve definitely dug themselves a hole.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:20 pm
So we’re going to paint Grizz as petty now? Hahaha maybe he’s salty because Bowles coaches like a coward and wants to win games with defense every week and his defense is trash. Trying to win games 24-23 on purpose
January 21st, 2026 at 1:20 pm
Maybe coaching Justin Herbert was the main factor in McDaniels taking the OC job. If McDaniels opted to take the Browns OC job then maybe this narrative would sink in more. Todd Bowles current status as the HC (being on the hot seat) is likely not very appealing for OC candidates, and maybe there were whispers exchanged about the culture and roster between the two. But also, other job openings have offenses with more talent, namely at the QB position, and that has to be the biggest factor. PSA for some Bucs fans, even if Bowles was in good standing, it was going to be difficult to get your 1st or 2nd choice OC because of the number of other openings on teams with better offensive talent. Considering their are looking to avoid going the “first time play caller route” it’s going to largely restrict who’s considered. I hope they look at some proven college OC with maybe some NFL experience and widen the OC search. Either way, this was always going to be a longer thought out process due to all of the offseason firings.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Better look put…gruden may be OC for Bucs
January 21st, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Is very simple: would you prefer to work for Harbaugh or Bowles?…. This is the real decision point
January 21st, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Who is the Head Coach? Would you want to work for somebody who it seems like at times they don’t know what they’re doing? Me either.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I would take Gruden in a minute as OC based on who is available. It’s not that Grizzard had to go, the entire defensive and special team coaching staff also had to go along with Bowles. Keeping Bowles and firing Grizzard is kind of funny, because Bowles will not be able to hire anyone better now. I don’t expect much next season, because Licht will likely sign more bottom of the barrel defensive FAs and hype his bottom of the barrel defensive draft picks like every year. Until Bowles and Licht are fired nothing is going to change. No confidence for this organization.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Another line of thinking… If I’m McDaniel and I look at the Bucs I see a solid offensive team when healthy; O-line, skill players… Mayfield was super here prior to this year. Bucs have an underperforming defense for several years with an HC supposedly a guru at his specialty-defense.
The record of the Bucs head coach and the probability that he’s fired next year would give him pause. San Diego had significant injuries this year, They have one of the top 3-4 coaches in the NFL. I’d hitch my wagon to Harbaugh and Herbert without much deliberation as compared to Bowles and Mayfield. No kick against Baker, he’s a fine QB when healthy. But the HC is the crux of the problem.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:36 pm
johnnythemoon Says:
January 21st, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Do not blame Grizz he had a better numbers than Canales and was a scapegoat.
but Dave was the only OC to get a playoff win!!!!
screw the numbers!!!…wins matter!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 21st, 2026 at 1:39 pm
“Everyone knows where the blame lies but the great coverup is on”
Lol, if by “great coverup” you mean our receivers always being covered on lame play designs from our play caller, then you’re spot on.
Lots of blame to go around, and Grizzard deserves plenty of it.
“Fall man” = fell-on-his-face man? Agree with that also.
Sorry, but I don’t pull punches when someone is paid to do a job and they totally suck at it. It’s like hiring a lawn care guy and they constantly destroy your hedges and break the sprinklers, but then you say – eh, who knows, the sun must have been too hot for them that day. Bull.
January 21st, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Just throwing a few names out there that don’t seem to be getting any recent run. What is the story on Brian Daboll whose only fault appears to be that he was a former NY Giants coach? Same for Kliff Kingsbury though doesn’t he have some sort of bad history with Baker. Can they be any worse OR better than Callahan?
January 21st, 2026 at 1:58 pm
813bucboi ..Wins do matter but stats are stats and it takes a O and a D ..so learn how scoring works .Bucs avg 20pts a game under Canales not good and the Panthers were even worse in their 7-10 season this year..
January 21st, 2026 at 2:05 pm
I am convinced Joe is bipolar and has split personalities
Much of the time he carries water for Todd Bowles
Others he almost seems to agree with what the people can see with our own eyes
January 21st, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Of course they spoke. And of course Grizz said don’t take it. Bowles and The Glazerhouses just threw all the coaching staff under the bus but Bowles. Who would want to come and not be the head coach or with a head coach they trust. That was obvious to everyone but the Glazerhouses.
January 21st, 2026 at 2:52 pm
Grizz started the season well, but as time went on we couldn’t score and played very conservative and guys were always behind the sticks ok 3rd down lol. Is grizz the fall guy maybe but he sure didn’t help himself down the stretch