The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are about to embark on a very tumultuous, franchise-changing offseason, and it has officially begun with the firing of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, according to a tweet by Rick Stroud and an initial report by PewterReport. Of course, the first report was initially denied by Bucs’ Head Coach Todd Bowles (don’t you love when reports come out and the organization initially denies it just to do exactly what the report said it would do two days later?).
Times They Are A-Changin’
While the move was very much expected after a season in which the Buccaneers were one of the worst offenses in the NFL, it’s still a signal that the times they are a-changin’.
Tampa Bay will be severely hamstrung by several salary cap constraints, and if Brady does indeed retire or sign elsewhere like many expect him to, there will be many difficult choices that have to be made as the Bucs transition to a rebuilding period.
Brace Yourselves
Bucs’ fans, brace yourselves; there will be a lot of big names let go. Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, Mike Edwards, and many others are free agents this season, and even more on their current active roster will be cut or traded.
The real question as we continue on this journey through the NFL offseason is who the Buccaneers will keep around. There seems to be a general feeling that they will retain head coach Todd Bowles, but every other position is pretty much in question after such a letdown of a season.
More To Come?
Players, coaches—everyone—is potentially on the chopping block. The veterans are probably the first to go, but even the younger players might be dangled as trade bait since the Bucs have to face the harsh reality of not being playoff contenders for a few years.
Draft picks are always king, but that will be especially true in these upcoming years as the Bucs won’t have the financial flexibility to re-sign many guys, much less bring in anyone new through free agency.
Sigh. It’s now officially a Bucs life, but we all knew this day was coming. I just don’t think anyone envisioned it ending in such a quiet, sad fashion.
This article first appeared on CLTAMPA.COM and is used with permission.
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