Bucs Take Third Look At Offensive Coordinator Dan Pitcher
January 19th, 2026
Two years ago, the Bucs twice interviewed then-Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher for their open offensive coordinator gig that eventually went to then-Seahawks quarterbacks coach Dave Canales.
They’re back sniffing Pitcher again.
Now the Bengals offfensive coordinator, though he doesn’t call plays, Pitcher will interview this week with the Bucs for their annual playcaller vacancy, per NFL Network.
Pitcher, 39, has been an assistant with the Bengals since 2016 and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2020 for Joe Burrow’s rookie season.
A college quarterback at Colgate, Pitcher later jumped right into working in the NFL. Prior to joining the Bengals, he was a four-year scout with the Indianapolis Colts.
Joe’s not sure why the Bucs would prefer an inexperienced playcaller new to take over their veteran offense. Hopefully, the Pitcher interview is not a sign the Bucs feel less likely to land Mike McDaniel or Todd Monken.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:55 pm
Don’t know him, but glad we’re trying to find someone other than the candidates we interviewed. All are failed OC, other than maybe McDaniel.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:57 pm
At the end of the day, if whoever is being interviewed doesn’t say “fixing Baker’s fundamentals” as his first priority, then they should be automatically removed. I’m 100% serious.
January 19th, 2026 at 10:58 pm
😆🤣🙂↔️
January 19th, 2026 at 11:03 pm
The Bengals run a very simple and predictable offense if you listen to Bengals fans who constantly call for all the coaches there to be fired.
But said all along Bowles will likely end up picking someone we never heard of, just like he did with Canales and Coen – and when he does, everyone will freak out and yell he didn’t get a big name, as if the other hires never happened.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
Bucs are purposely delaying…..we haven’t hired anyone which seems odd for all the coaches we fired. There’s someone they’re interested in that is causing them to pause on hiring at any position/assistant. I’m thinking McDaniels or the fella from the Rams.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Hopefully the Buccaneers paid attention to the national championship game because there are a lot of players, lineman and defense on both teams that can play on Sunday.
Akheem Mesidor – 6’3” 275 and QUICK w/ power
Edge from Miami via W Va-
65 games, 205 tackles, 50.5 TFL, 33.5 sacks
Turns 25 before the draft so will fall to round 2
January 19th, 2026 at 11:33 pm
You keep all doors an options open an build.relationshios for future I’m praying MM comes to Tampa I keep seeing HC names get filled holding out big hope Tampa has t hired anyone an he hasn’t taken any other job you say there’s hope
January 19th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
We can hope in 1 hand and poop in the other, see what fills up first
January 19th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
Bucs have very little buying power with Bowles running the show.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
Blelows would lose to either of these CFO teams.
Fire him.
January 19th, 2026 at 11:57 pm
LOL If Bowles was Coaching Indiana, Indy would have punted in every 4th down play and go for the field goal on 4th & 5 when Mendoza score. Tampa Bay are total tard for not firing Bowles. My favorite Bowles call was when the Bucs had it on the oppositions 42 yard line & I think needed a yard and he punted.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:04 am
When are the Bucs going to interview for defensive coordinator. The DC they have is no good.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:13 am
Nobody needs to fix Baker.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:14 am
I have idea what the Glazers are doing. With Bowles apparently coming back for another, most likely average, season. Buc fans are overwhelmingly done with Bowles, ticket sales are going to plummet. Interest in this team will be at an all time low. The fans have seen enough, Bowles team was down right embarrassing down the stretch of this past season. Ownership has apparently accepted mediocrity. It’s all fine and good for ownership liking Todd Bowles as a nice guy, they should be more interested in trying to win football games.
I’m convinced that the Bucs will not and cannot win with Todd Bowles.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:15 am
WHO????? In Snoop Dogg voice
We waiting on McDaniels and Monken to make decision.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:17 am
I have no idea what the Glazers are thinking is what I meant.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:24 am
Bowles is horrible- he will employ a three plays and a cloud of dust offense. He wants to go back to the 70’s football, which would be great if you had the right personnel.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:27 am
Titans hired Saleh.. and could look to hire McDaniel as their OC, he’s close with Saleh.. we might miss out on McDaniel.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:28 am
Can anyone explain what the upside is for keeping Todd Bowles.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:36 am
I think Monken will go to the Giants with Harbaugh and McDaniel will go to the Titans with Saleh….will get to develop Cam Ward.
So who’s next on our wish list??
January 20th, 2026 at 12:40 am
Not that it matters because I don’t have a choice, but I’m willing to see how this turns out.
Would prefer Bowles be gone, but I can understand why they’ve given him another year. Strategically, it gives us another draft for defense, and gives this years rooks a chance to develop. On offense, when healthy, they are among the best with a good OC.
I know Jason Licht can build a good defense too. He only started drafting for it this past draft…and didn’t use a first rounder on it.
With all of the changes, it will be interesting to see how they work out.
But… I’m going to be upset if Bowles is the DC. Not that I can do anything about it.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:44 am
Capt Ahab Says
“Can anyone explain what the upside is for keeping Todd Bowles.”
I’m probably stretching it more than a little here, but another year of development for this year’s draft picks, another rookie class, and there will be some better coaching options next year…maybe?
Plus, if things go well on development, we could go all in next year and make a run the following year.
But I’m probably stretching things.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:46 am
It is entirely possible that, even with Bowles as head coach, the Bucs could dramatically turn things around next year.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:52 am
Bowles will be the defensive coordinator, which means our defense will be terrible.
January 20th, 2026 at 12:57 am
I root for Todd Bowles, I would like nothing more then him succeed. His defense is one of the worst in the national football league.
January 20th, 2026 at 1:23 am
i’ve heard a few whispers that burrow could be moved for a big bundle in trade…
i think it was jets media saying to throw a bundle to cincy for the often injured joe burrow…
interesting if burrow is on the block…he’s no doubt a top 5 starting qb
January 20th, 2026 at 1:25 am
if you can get pitcher and joe burrow as a package deal of some sort…hell yeah…get burrow in here…!
peace baker…
sorry mcdaniel, go hang with saleh
January 20th, 2026 at 1:30 am
“Eric Says:
January 20th, 2026 at 12:13 am
Nobody needs to fix Baker.”
With all due respect, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It was 100% obvious all season.
Both Canales & Coen made this their immediate, primary focus and it paid off with a more consistent and accurate version of Baker.
All season (yes every game, including prior to his injuries), he seemed to have reverted back to what he was doing fundamentally (footwork, rhythm, launch points, balance, etc.), prior to Canales ever being his coach.
Was pissed watching week 1 vs. ATL…I knew we were screwed in the long-term for the season as soon as he took his first few snaps.
Could see the ineptness of the offensive coaching staff right away with that alone. I had high hopes for Grizzard before that.
Was hoping I was wrong and they’d correct him by the next game but they never bothered to…to this day….
Crazy. Unacceptable. Insane.