Egos And Complexity Challenged Bucs Offense
January 18th, 2026
Fired Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
Fired Tampa Bay rookie offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, a Bucs’ 2025 fall guy, had many tough tasks on his hands this season.
No matter how much the Bucs touted their team-first culture, Grizzard was always going to have to deal with spreading the ball around to keep players happy.
Grizzard entered the season under pressure to get Mike Evans 1,000 yards. Chris Godwin was coming back and would need touches to find his way — whether he earned them or not. Emeka Egbuka was a first-round pick and Grizzard knew that investment meant Ebuka needed targets to develop. The Bucs also had three quality running backs with different skill sets and a tight end coming off a strong season.
The Bucs were stacked with weapons and, per running back Rachaad White, that wasn’t always a blessing.
“When you look on paper, of course, you’re loaded,” White told Loose Cannons last week aftter being asked about what went wrong for the Bucs offense. “I don’t know. It’s hard. There’s only one football, though, man. So it’s really tough. It’s really hard. And then, you know, football has a lot of egos.”
White then quickly talked about not wanting to get clipped for social media talking about egos. He didn’t want fans to think egos were a major issue, though White acknowledged his own ego led to him questioning coaches and seeking a fresh start elsewhere in 2026.
White also thinks the 2025 Bucs offense got too far away from simple, effective football.
“I think we’re trying to like get everybody the ball in the right manner or in the right way, and do this and do that. I don’t think it just went as planned,” White said.
“A lot of things were just tough all over the place. We won some big games, especially without a lot of our main guys, as well. I don’t know. We probably try to make things more complicated than what it is and what it was. I think some of the guys we got, too, you can just get the ball in their hands and let them out and space and just let them create; let them get in a flow, get in a rhythm and things like that.”
White said he talked to Bucky Irving about how former Bucs playcaller Dave Canales kept the offense simpler and more in rhythm by starting games with “pitch-and-catch” throws that are good for Baker Mayfield, receivers and the offense as a whole.
Overall, White didn’t offer many answers for the Bucs offense falling off.
“Things just kind of started spiraling,” he said. “It got ugly from there, man. It got ugly from there. You could just tell.”
January 18th, 2026 at 7:04 am
If the narrative that is being spun is that the O and D were too complex, this has to stop. It was so complex that basement dwelling teams crushed us? We had no heart and won’t in 2026 for this tubby dolt named Todd.
January 18th, 2026 at 7:26 am
There was clearly some sort of philosophical disconnect on offense. I think that Grizzard was trying to put his own stamp on things, and steered away from the things that had made the offense successful in the past. We saw very little blitz beating quick slants , too many runs up the middle with an undersized back, and routes that saw too many receivers in the same area. Grizzard sure seemed like he was hell bent on having the offense run his way, as opposed to doing what works.
January 18th, 2026 at 7:32 am
Execution was the main problem. The offense didn’t seem that complex. I remember a lot of screens and runs up the middle. The offense certainly wasn’t complex to opposing defenses.
January 18th, 2026 at 7:38 am
After hearing White comments about his “former” teammates, and team, this week, it appears to me we may have had 2 head case running backs last season.
January 18th, 2026 at 7:45 am
White needs to learn to read the line when taking a handoff then maybe I’ll listen to his critique of the offense as a whole. I’ve never seen a back so ineffective at running the ball versus receiving. Never.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Chaos in all 3 phases. Offense, Defense and Special Team
Is a reflection of Todd. The coach is still here. Common sense tells you:
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
SMH
January 18th, 2026 at 8:07 am
Canalas started with Up the Gut. The rest is called ‘The Game Plan’ … it is made up by Bowzo.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:11 am
White’s comments make me think that comments from Bowles like “playing the hot hand” were heard by his players and then worked against the coaching staff when that turned out to be a lie. Bowles/Grizz just fed the ball to Bucky and tried to play ball control so Bowles’ D would not be embarrassed on the field as badly, White would have an explosive play and then ride the pine. It did not work out well did it? Grizz became the fall guy and we fans still have Bowles. I sometimes wonder if the Glazers/Licht are playing the long game and looking at Arch Manning in 2027 because keeping Bowles as a play calling HC does not compute logically into any plan for bring competitive in 2026. ……..
January 18th, 2026 at 8:14 am
bring competitive = being competitive. Again, I do not see how that can happen with Bowles’ D schemes. The whole NFL knows how to beat the guy, even 3rd string bench warmers, busts and 7th round draft picks have career days against Todd.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:15 am
As for Grizzard I think he just wasn’t ready. Canales and Coen both came in and changed offensive philosophies. Canales wasn’t as good as Coen but it wasn’t as bad as it was this past season. As for the fall guy, that’s what happens in most business atmospheres, the head person or people clear out the people under them first then, if the same crap keeps going then the top dog get run off. I still think it was more than Grizzard play calling going on at One Bucs Place
January 18th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Keep on talking Mr White!
ONE Buc Place
Is dysfunctional from the owners on down!
The Emperor has No Clothes syndrome has cast a spell on the whole complex!
January 18th, 2026 at 8:20 am
Watched this interview the day it came out, a lot of what White said sounded pretty grounded and genuine. Even if it’s just his perspective, he was literally in the locker rooms, meeting rooms, and a part of this team.
They way guys like Wirfs, and even Barton showed in interviews down the stretch that guys who were usually upbeat and positive were a little beaten down, but trying to keep their PR faces on. White is just airing out his POV, and it’s interesting to me.
Losing like we were can really mess with guys’ minds and moods, while also tanking morale.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:28 am
A real head coach knows how to get the most out of all that talent. You think Jimmy Johnson ever said “Shoot! I have too many good ball players!! What am I gonna do!!! Yeah that never happened.
January 18th, 2026 at 8:31 am
For what it’s worth, I didn’t care for Canales’ offense, but he’s doing something right in Carolina. Looks like they’ve taken care of that Oline, and Bryce looks incredibly comfortable behind it. On def, they were down 2 scores to the Rams, and somehow figured out a way to stay in it and make it a game. Jags and the Panthers put a respectable product on the field during the playoffs. As a fan, that’s all we want, right?
Someone would have to tell me, were the Panthers defense more talented than our defense on paper? We talk dead cap and how this team has been operating on a shoestring budget for a few years, and yet I see pretty high draft capital all over our starting defensive lineup. Zyon and Dennis being 3rd day picks, but it’s not like these guys were stop gaps, Dennis was being groomed as a serious starter and we opted to sign Zyon to a starting corners’ contract.
Even our depth were high draft picks in guys like Braswell and Hall. I think it’s a combination of Licht’s drafting and coaches perhaps not getting more out of their talent, and or scheme simply isn’t working for who we have playing in it?
January 18th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Not gonna get any better with Bowles, jus sayn..
January 18th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Couple things.
– Grizz isn’t the fall guy, just a guy that had all the talent on this roster and didn’t figure out how to use it. Play calling was so predictable a group of us would call them out just before the snap. And even after he got Evans, Godwin and McMillan back he didn’t use them. He wasn’t as good as Canalas and not even close to Coen. That’s why he got fired.
– White lost his starting job to a better back. Great receiving back and durable. But suspect vision and never a great runner. Sour grapes still isn’t a good look.
January 18th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Any who, the 25 seasons is over and Bowles is still the HC. Just hoping we get a OC and Bowles do something with the defense to get the Bucs over the hill. I want say that Bowles should have been fired or he should’ve stayed I don’t know what went on at One Bucs Place however, if the Bucs start 26 playing like they did at the end of 25, I think I will just watch Jacksonville until the Bucs get right. I’ll take that $600.00 I spend on the 2 to 3 Bucs games and buy some conac or scotch ride my the sofa. Duval is a lil far me to drive 😊
January 18th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Bo Nix broke his ankle on a kneel down to set up a,FG. Whaaaaaaat? How does that happen? Peyton seems unfazed and says,he has two staring QBs. Now that is good coaching Todd. Teddy Bongwater is your backup???? I would try to acquire Bails Zapper or Kenny Pickens in the off season.
January 18th, 2026 at 9:15 am
“ I think that Grizzard was trying to put his own stamp on things..”
And that stamp was to throw the ball behind the line as much as possible?
Simple fact is Grizzard had no clue what he was doing. You could read it all over Mayfield’s face.
January 18th, 2026 at 9:24 am
I like the article. I do not like having to open, and reopen the article 20 times to read 10 more words because ads keep covering the article. Over and over and over. I gave up and am about to quit using this site. It’s gotten ridiculous. I know they say contact Google or whoever but who can apply more pressure? Me as one ad receiver? (I refuse to read then or click on that garbage) or one of the people whose site they’re advertising on? It’s the only site I use right now doing it. So frustrating and quickly becoming not worth the content.
January 18th, 2026 at 9:26 am
Bucky Irving sunk the season. It was all down hill once he got hurt. He was spreading a virus across the team while he was out. Came back and demanded the ball. Just my opinion not fact.
January 18th, 2026 at 9:47 am
One thing that should get proven the 26 season after the team regressed on offense and defense, if Bowles can win the division and win at least 2 playoff games, Bucs nation may see him as a decent HC I did say may see him.
January 18th, 2026 at 10:06 am
The starting offensive line never played a single snap together, and 3rd string guards were a major problem with the 2nd half of the season.and by the 80 or 90th that the quick swing pass lost yards, it was probably time to take that one out of the playbook. But all of this focus on the offense takes focus away from the real problem, which was horrible defense. No amount of offense could save us from 3rd and 28 or 4th and 13.
January 18th, 2026 at 10:29 am
“Grizzard was always going to have to deal with spreading the ball around to keep players happy.”
Says who?
I didn’t read anything in the following paragraph that mandates that conclusion. If he neverthless felt that kind of pressure, then his demise was earned. And another glarung reason he got clipped was simply because he didn’t have the experience to scheme an offense. Fall man?! It’s not wrong to call that out when after he literally fell on his face.
January 18th, 2026 at 10:30 am
the other ego in play was grizzards.. he came in wanting to change things up even though he didnt really know what he was doing.
adios rachaad white. you were never that good. of course when you are 36 the bucs will bring you back to “juice” you.
January 18th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Want to know how to tell the problem was the offensive coordinator? Look at the games, end of game come backs are about 2 minute offense which is usually the QB making calls at the line. This team would muddle through games with lifeless 3& outs until the 4rth quarter and all of a sudden the ball started moving even in the early season winning games. The offensive coordinator was in over his head all season, never adjusted gamelans for changes in personnel. Just sad
January 18th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Grizzard is the sacrificial lamb, although I question a lot of the calls he made. However, that does not explain why the Bucs did really well in the first half of the season and completely fell apart after the bye. This Jekyl and Hyde scenario doesn’t happen in football – either you are consistently good or consistently bad. Just look to the other bottom dwellers in the NFC South.
Bowles is the problem. However, the Glazers have chosen to bring him back for 2026 and continue the Bucs journey into mediocrity. Baker is a good QB, but he needs the right OC who will control his reckless behaviour and propensity to get himself injured by doing to carry the offense on his shoulders.
The special teams coach definitely needed to go. Our special teams were abysmal, compared to our bad offense and defense. It seems to defense got worse as we got deeper into the second half of the season. We may have too many players that are not committed to success. That is an HC problem.
Bowles has lost the locker room. Licht will try to fix the issues in the locker room through free agency and draft. However, a toxic culture and an unwillingness to play for a mediocre HC with little hope of winning post season will limit who can be recruited for Tampa.
I hope I am dead wrong about the Glazers and they may be playing a strategic game where they may can Bowles sooner rather than later. I don’t believe for a moment that Bowles is safe. He has a temporary reprieve from his masters. Much better coaches have either been fired or simply stepped down. McDaniels is a far superior HC then Bowles and what he couldn’t do with Tagaviola he might be able to do with Mayfield. Time is running out for the Baker. The QB offerings in the draft are scarce. My alma mater is in the championship game, but as a U alum and Canes fan, I think Beck is not that good. Mayfield is much, much better. Nuff said. Go Bucs. Go Canes. GB. Cheers.
January 18th, 2026 at 11:12 am
Time for…Howdy Bowzo and Leave it to Bowzo Shows for 2026. It is gonna be bizarre after this end and start.
Leave it to Bowzo
January 18th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Sounds like it is good to be rid of White…another dime a dozen running back.
January 18th, 2026 at 11:17 am
The Cracker Barrel Bucs……? Hoist a Bud Light…..Prepare for the Mancheater Bucs season.
January 18th, 2026 at 11:50 am
Mike Evans next team is playing at 3PM today!
Please go to Houston next year Mike and have fun!
January 18th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Every day Bowles is the coach is a step towards his dismissal.
Be patient friends. He will do what he always does.
Figure out a way to lose.
January 18th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Anyone that believes the glazers have an obligation to the fans is delusional. Retaining bowles came down to money and his ridiculous extension. And when they miss out on talented coordinators because of bowles, they can only thank themselves. This team is broken, the culture sucks, and the locker room is lost. But hey, let’s retain the leader of this toxic mess
January 18th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Offensive line went from an A to a C-. Simple as that.
January 18th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
What White shared is very close to what I had suspected…
It was evident that there was pressure on Baker to get the ball to Evans trying to extend his 1K streak, though he did not remotely resemble the WR he had been even last year (when it was glaringly evident that he was sliding down the wrong side of the age/production hill). With Baker looking to force some balls his way. You can see that in the targets-to-catch stats in 7-of-8 games he played.
***I love Mike, but he’s washed & needs to either retire a life-long Bucs legend before grabbing a Gold jacket in 5yrs time or he’s off into the sunset to play for another team in 2026…His time in Tampa has run it’s course!***
There was pressure trying to get Godwin back involved once he returned. Though he looked serviceable, he was no the CG of old. And then there was EE…The staff also tried to make him the focal point in a plethora of games with Baker targeting him way too much. (Though several weeks he was the only true WR1 option available)
I hope that the 2026 Bucs OF can get back on track and follow the John Elway approach.
Q: Who’s you favorite WR, John???
A: The one that is open!
I truly believe that too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Having too many top skill players is worse than a few backed by a handful of role players… With CG, EE, McM, Tez & either Kam or a new draft WR insert…The Bucs may just have the right mix to calm the waters & have a functional WR unit without the conflicting mix of ego’s & money driven expectations.
The above will also be determined by the next OC & how he runs his scheme.
Regardless, that guy must get Baker back to just playing FB & not trying to force it to specific players because of money, ego or personal stats expectations….Just take what the DEF gives you & keep the chains moving / keep stacking scoring chances – drive after drive.