The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again diving into the offensive coordinator market, and if there’s a pattern to their recent hires, it’s this: they’re not afraid to take a chance on coaches who haven’t called plays at the NFL level. That trend could continue, with the team set to interview Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher this week - a name that’s been on their radar before.
Pitcher, who’s been with Cincinnati since 2016, has steadily climbed the coaching ladder. He became the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach in 2020 and was elevated to offensive coordinator in 2024.
While head coach Zac Taylor handles play-calling duties in Cincinnati, Pitcher’s fingerprints are all over the development of Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offensive structure. Since his promotion, the Bengals have finished sixth and 12th in scoring - not bad for a coach still waiting for his first opportunity to run the show on game day.
This isn’t the first time the Bucs have been intrigued by Pitcher. They interviewed him for the same role last year and came away impressed.
But at that time, Pitcher chose to stay in Cincinnati, knowing that Brian Callahan - then the Bengals' OC - might be on the move. That move happened when Callahan took the Titans' head coaching job in 2024.
Ironically, Callahan has also interviewed for Tampa Bay’s OC opening.
For Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, the search for the right offensive mind is critical - especially with Baker Mayfield’s future in Tampa still a central storyline. Bringing in Pitcher would mean yet another new system for Mayfield, but there could be some familiarity baked in.
Pitcher has only worked under Zac Taylor, and Taylor’s offensive DNA traces back to Sean McVay, who spent time with the Rams before Taylor took over in Cincinnati. Mayfield, of course, has been exposed to McVay’s system before, so there’s potential for some overlap in terminology and structure.
Meanwhile, the Bucs have been casting a wide net. They’ve interviewed several experienced names, including former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, ex-Ravens OC Todd Monken, and former Falcons OC Zac Robinson. But like Pitcher, many of the other candidates are still waiting for their first shot at calling plays in the NFL.
McDaniel’s situation continues to evolve. He’s had a second interview with the Browns for their head coaching vacancy and has also spoken with the Titans, Ravens, and Raiders.
Still, there’s buzz that he’s seriously considering OC roles. According to multiple reports, McDaniel is intrigued by the idea of working under a defensive-minded head coach like Bowles, which would give him full autonomy over the offense.
Some insiders even suggest that Tampa Bay could be a long-term opportunity - one where McDaniel might eventually be positioned as Bowles’ successor.
Todd Monken, on the other hand, has options of his own. He’s reportedly in line for a reunion with newly hired Giants head coach John Harbaugh, where he’d work with young quarterback Jaxson Dart. But Monken is also in the running for the Browns’ head coaching job and doesn’t appear to be in a rush to make a decision.
The Bucs aren’t limiting their search to just big names or high-profile resumes. They recently held virtual interviews with Giants interim head coach and OC Mike Kafka, Lions quarterbacks coach David Shaw, and Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork. Each of these coaches brings something different to the table, whether it’s experience in quarterback development, schematic innovation, or simply a fresh perspective.
Of course, the entire offensive coordinator market is still in flux. With eight head coaching jobs still open across the league, the dominoes haven’t all fallen yet. Once those top jobs start getting filled, the OC landscape will likely shift quickly - and Tampa Bay will want to be ready to pounce.
For now, the Bucs are doing their homework, exploring both up-and-coming minds and seasoned play-callers. Whoever they choose will be tasked with shaping an offense that can take the next step - and, perhaps more importantly, bring stability to a unit that’s seen plenty of change in recent years.