Bucs Aim to End Five Years of Frustration

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are setting their sights on a new direction in 2024, hoping to put an end to five seasons of frustration. The key to this turnaround lies in the hiring of offensive coordinator Liam Coen , a move that signals a strategic shift under head coach Todd Bowles .

Coen, who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, brings a system that closely mirrors the offensive schemes of McVay and Kyle Shanahan , which have been a thorn in the Bucs' side in recent years.

Since Bowles took over in 2019, the Buccaneers have struggled against teams employing the McVay/Shanahan-style offenses, recording a 7-9 record against such teams. These matchups have often resulted in lopsided losses, with Bowles' defenses allowing an average of 26.3 points per game in these contests. The frustration has been compounded by the inability to contain these high-powered offenses, a challenge the Bucs are determined to address.

With Coen at the helm, the Bucs' offense will now feature elements that closely resemble the very systems that have caused them so much trouble. This shift is not only about improving the offense but also about giving the defense a chance to practice against these schemes regularly.

Linebacker K.J. Britt emphasized the benefits of practicing against Coen's offense, saying, "[I've] picked up on it by practicing against it... just making sure my eyes are in the right place, for me, doing my part in the defense, so I can play fast and make sure that, you know, I look like I'm flying around just by what I'm seeing and how I approach the game."

This approach has sharpened his ability to read certain aspects of the game, ultimately improving his overall performance.

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The results of this strategic shift are already showing. In joint practices with the Miami Dolphins , led by Mike McDaniel —another coach from the Shanahan/McVay coaching tree—the Bucs' defense held its own. While there were challenges, the defense showed signs of improvement, a promising indication of what’s to come.

As the Bucs prepare for the 2024 season, the focus is on ending their years of frustrating struggles against these challenging offenses. With five critical games on the schedule against teams running similar schemes, including matchups with the 49ers , Falcons , and Panthers , the Bucs’ success will largely hinge on their ability to adapt and contain these potent attacks.