The Buccaneers are closing in on their next offensive coordinator, and the shortlist is getting tighter. On Wednesday, former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson met with team officials in person, signaling he's very much in the mix. He’s not alone-former Titans head coach Brian Callahan is set to visit Tampa on Thursday, and Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, who interviewed virtually, remains a candidate as well.
The search took a turn earlier in the week when Mike McDaniel, the former Dolphins head coach, reportedly told the Bucs he was no longer in the running. Not long after, he accepted the offensive coordinator job with the Chargers, taking one of the more experienced options off the table.
Another name that had emerged during the process was Todd Monken. The 59-year-old, who once held the OC title in Tampa, interviewed for the job last week.
But Monken appears to be weighing multiple opportunities, including a potential reunion with John Harbaugh in New York, where he could become the Giants’ offensive play-caller. He’s also interviewed twice for the Browns’ head coaching job and doesn’t seem to be in a rush to commit.
Among the remaining candidates, Robinson and Callahan are the ones with NFL play-calling experience-an important distinction for a team that’s cycled through offensive coordinators in recent years. Robinson, 39, spent five seasons on Sean McVay’s staff with the Rams, working his way up from assistant quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Most recently, he was in Atlanta, where the Falcons quietly put together one of the league’s most efficient offenses. They finished sixth in total offense, fifth in passing, and 10th in rushing-numbers that speak to a balanced, modern scheme.
There’s also a built-in connection with Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. Robinson was on the Rams staff in 2022 when Mayfield made a late-season cameo, starting five games and showing flashes of the play that once made him a No. 1 overall pick. That familiarity could be a factor as Tampa Bay looks to build on Mayfield’s resurgence this past season.
And if there’s any doubt about Robinson’s ability to scheme against Tampa’s defense, just look back to December. His Falcons offense erased a 14-point deficit in the final nine minutes to edge the Bucs 29-28. In three games against Tampa Bay, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for a combined 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns-numbers that underscore how well Robinson’s system functioned against Todd Bowles’ defense.
Dan Pitcher, meanwhile, is a name that’s been on the Bucs’ radar before. He interviewed with the team in 2023 while serving as the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach.
At the time, Brian Callahan was Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator. When Callahan landed the Titans’ head coaching gig in 2024, Pitcher stepped up as OC.
Now, with Callahan out in Tennessee, Pitcher remains a viable option for Tampa Bay.
Callahan’s resume is a bit more complicated. While he did oversee the Titans’ offense as head coach, he didn’t hold onto play-calling duties for long.
After a 1-5 start this past season, he handed those responsibilities off and was eventually let go. His two-year record in Tennessee was 4-19, and the offensive production reflected the struggles.
In 2024, the Titans averaged just 18.3 points per game-27th in the league. Through the first six games of this season, they were dead last in total offense and finished 30th in scoring with just 16.7 points per game.
That said, Callahan’s offensive mind remains respected around the league, and his time with the Bengals-where he worked closely with Joe Burrow and helped shape a top-tier passing attack-still holds weight.
It’s worth noting that whoever lands the job will be Tampa Bay’s fifth offensive coordinator in as many years. That kind of turnover isn’t ideal for continuity, especially with a quarterback like Mayfield who’s trying to reestablish himself as a long-term starter. The Bucs have taken chances on first-time play-callers before-names like Dave Canales, Liam Coen, and Josh Grizzard come to mind-and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they do it again.
Whether that’s a reflection of the available talent pool or concerns about Todd Bowles’ long-term job security is hard to say. But what is clear: the process is nearing the finish line, and there’s a real chance the Bucs’ next offensive coordinator has already walked through the doors at One Buccaneer Place.