Bucs Fans Watching Liam Coen Thrive in Jacksonville Is the Gut Punch They Didn’t Need Right Now
Week 16 didn't just deliver another loss for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - it delivered a harsh reminder of what could’ve been. While the Bucs were falling to the Panthers in a game that knocked them out of the playoff picture, Liam Coen and the Jacksonville Jaguars were busy celebrating a statement win over the Broncos. It was the kind of win that could launch Jacksonville into the AFC’s top seed conversation - and the kind of moment Bucs fans can’t help but feel should’ve been theirs.
This wasn’t just a loss on the field. It was a symbolic one, too.
Todd Bowles’ tenure in Tampa Bay feels like it’s nearing its expiration date, and the contrast between his struggles and Coen’s rise has fans in full-on “what if” mode. Coen, who once wore Bucs colors and was seen as a possible heir to the head coaching throne, is now thriving elsewhere - and that stings.
The Coen Conundrum
Let’s rewind for a moment. Earlier this year, Tampa Bay had a plan.
They wanted to keep Liam Coen in the building, even offering him a record-setting deal to stay on as offensive coordinator. The idea was simple: let Bowles coach one more season, then hand the keys to Coen.
A smooth transition, a fresh offensive vision, and maybe - just maybe - another Super Bowl window.
But Coen didn’t want to wait. He took a head coaching job ahead of schedule, and that decision has paid off in a big way.
He’s transformed Jacksonville’s offense, revitalized Trevor Lawrence’s career, and turned the Jaguars into a legitimate contender. Meanwhile, the Bucs are left wondering what might’ve been.
It’s easy to say now that Tampa Bay should’ve fired Bowles and handed the job to Coen. But that’s not how things looked back in February.
At the time, Coen’s departure left a bitter taste. Reports swirled that the Bucs were blindsided, even furious, with how he exited.
The idea of making him the head coach then wasn’t just unlikely - it was nearly unthinkable.
Now, with the Jaguars rolling and the Bucs reeling, that tune has changed.
Injuries, Timing, and the Harsh Reality
Before diving too deep into the revisionist rabbit hole, let’s keep something in mind: even if Coen had stayed, he’d still be dealing with the same brutal injury luck that’s plagued the Bucs this season. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving - all key offensive pieces who’ve missed time.
Coen’s offensive brilliance is real, but he’s not a magician. There’s no guarantee he would’ve been able to scheme around those losses any better than Bowles and company have.
And it’s not like the Bucs didn’t try to keep him. They made a strong offer.
They had a plan. They believed in the system - perhaps too much.
After all, Dave Canales parlayed his success in Tampa into a head coaching job, and the Bucs thought they could replicate that magic again with Coen. It worked once.
Why not twice?
But that’s the gamble they lost. Turns out, it wasn’t just the system. It was the man running it.
The Danger of the “What If” Game
It’s natural to look at Coen’s success and feel a sense of regret. That’s part of being a fan.
But playing the “should’ve fired Bowles” game doesn’t fix anything. If we go down that road, where does it stop?
Should the Lions have fired Dan Campbell to keep Ben Johnson? Should every team with a hot-shot coordinator be looking over their shoulder?
The truth is, timing matters. The Bucs were a year early on needing the next head coach.
Coen was a year ahead in wanting the opportunity. That gap - that slight misalignment - is now a chasm that separates a team struggling to stay afloat from one surging toward the top of the conference.
What Comes Next for Tampa Bay?
There’s no undoing the past. Coen is gone.
Bowles’ days appear numbered. And the Bucs are staring at another offseason full of questions.
But this time, they can’t afford to miss. They need to find the right coach at the right time - someone who can lead a retool, maximize what’s left of their veteran core, and build something sustainable.
The frustration is real. The envy is understandable.
Watching Coen thrive somewhere else while Tampa Bay flounders is a tough pill to swallow. But the answer isn’t in rewinding the tape.
It’s in getting the next move right.
Because if the Bucs don’t? We’ll be right back here next December - watching someone else’s success and wondering how it slipped through Tampa’s fingers.