The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy trying to keep their coaching and front office staff intact since the departure of Liam “The Weasel” Coen. Sir Slimy of Duval has learned a hard lesson in respect as he’s tried to poach several employees of his former team.
So while Sir Slimy is trying to patch together a coaching staff and new front office, some of his requests have been denied. Some of his targeted candidates have outright just said “no”. Which brings us to Bucs assistant GM Mike Greenberg.
Mike Greenberg, initially considered a top candidate for the Jaguars’ general manager position, has withdrawn his name from contention. According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Greenberg has informed the Jaguars that he is no longer in the running, ensuring that he will remain the Buccaneers’ assistant general manager.
Via the Tampa Bay Times Rick Stroud,
“Bucs assistant GM Mike Greenberg has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Jaguars’ general manager’s position. It had more to with his 15 years with the Bucs and his loyalty to the Glazer family, GM Jason Licht and what they have built here and nothing to do with any negative impressions about Liam Coen or the Jaguars organization. He was honored to be considered.”
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Greenberg has been an integral part of the Buccaneers’ organization for 15 years, playing a vital role in the team’s cap management. His decision to stay comes at a crucial time, as the Bucs have already lost two key staff members this offseason: Liam Coen, who left to become the Jaguars’ head coach, and John Spytek, who departed to become the Raiders’ general manager. Despite being considered for a role with the Jaguars, Greenberg’s commitment to the Buccaneers ensures some much-needed continuity within the organization.
It’s notable that Liam Coen wanted to continue working with Mike Greenberg, despite their relatively brief overlap in Tampa, which lasted only one season. Interestingly, Greenberg was also involved in Coen’s dramatic departure from the Buccaneers. While Coen was secretly negotiating with the Jaguars, after initially assuring the Bucs he would stay and sign a lucrative extension, Greenberg was among the high-ranking staff members who attempted to reach out to him. Specifically, Greenberg tried to contact Coen regarding an offensive staff member, but his call went unanswered. Nevertheless, Coen later expressed interest in collaborating with Greenberg again, highlighting the complexity of their professional relationship.
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According to a recent report from Jacksonville, Liam Coen had been actively trying to recruit Mike Greenberg to join him. However, Greenberg ultimately decided to remain with the Buccaneers, driven by his loyalty to the team rather than any ill feelings towards Coen, as reported by Rick Stroud. In fact, Greenberg was reportedly flattered by Coen’s interest. He will continue to work alongside General Manager Jason Licht, as the Buccaneers aim to secure their fifth consecutive NFC South title.
After being promoted to assistant general manager in 2023, Mike Greenberg had previously interviewed for the Panthers’ and Jets’ GM positions. While his decision to stay with the Buccaneers is being attributed to loyalty, it’s worth noting that he had shown interest in other GM roles. His decision to pass on the Jaguars’ opportunity, however, suggests some reservations about the position. The Jaguars’ recent front office turmoil, including the mid-search firing of former GM Trent Baalke, may have contributed to Greenberg’s hesitation. This instability was reportedly a key factor in Liam Coen’s decision to accept the Jaguars’ head coaching offer, which included the freedom to choose his own GM and lead the team’s personnel decisions, despite the presence of new executive VP Tony Boselli.
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A recent report revealed that the Jaguars’ next general manager will not be reporting to Tony Boselli, the team’s new executive vice president. However, Boselli will maintain a significant influence within the organization, reporting directly to ownership alongside head coach Liam Coen. The addition of Boselli, combined with Coen’s authority, is likely to diminish the responsibilities associated with the GM role. This restructuring may have factored into Mike Greenberg’s decision to remain with the Buccaneers. Furthermore, the Buccaneers have successfully blocked Coen’s attempts to poach two assistant coaches, Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci, demonstrating the team’s ability to retain key personnel.
Greenberg has played a pivotal role in the Buccaneers’ success throughout the 2020s, predating Jason Licht’s arrival. He was instrumental in building the Super Bowl LV roster, which ended a 12-year playoff drought, and helped devise a strategy to retain all core players for the 2021 season. Following Tom Brady’s retirement, which left the team with a $35 million dead cap hit, Greenberg, Licht, and John Spytek navigated the challenge and still managed to lead the team to the divisional round. Last offseason, the trio found creative ways to accommodate the salaries of key players like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, and Antoine Winfield Jr. With Greenberg’s decision to stay, Licht will have his trusted lieutenant by his side for at least another offseason.
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