Josh Grizzard is headed to Philadelphia, and while he won’t be calling plays, he’s stepping into a role that plays to his strengths. The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator has been hired by the Eagles as their new pass game coordinator, joining forces with newly appointed offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
Grizzard had been in the mix for the Eagles’ OC job himself, interviewing twice this offseason. But that baton went to Mannion, the 33-year-old former Packers quarterbacks coach who now takes over play-calling duties in Philly. Still, the Eagles clearly saw value in Grizzard’s offensive mind, bringing him aboard to help shape the passing game alongside Mannion.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Grizzard. Back in 2024, he served in the same role with the Bucs under Liam Coen and played a pivotal part in Tampa Bay’s offensive design.
His focus? Breaking down shifts, motions, and how to manipulate defenses to create space - especially in critical situations.
That season, the Bucs led the NFL in third-down conversion rate at 50.9%, a franchise record. That’s no small feat, and Grizzard’s fingerprints were all over it.
Things changed in 2025 when Grizzard was promoted to offensive coordinator after Coen’s departure. But the transition wasn’t seamless.
Despite a promising 6-2 start, the Bucs' offense struggled to maintain consistency, finishing 18th in scoring (22.4 points per game), 21st in total yards (320.4 per game), 20th in passing (205.9), and 21st in rushing (114.5). It wasn’t the leap forward many had hoped for.
To be fair, Grizzard wasn’t exactly dealt a full deck. Injuries hit the Bucs hard across the board - offensive line, wide receiver, running back, even quarterback.
That kind of attrition can derail even the best-laid plans, especially for a first-time play-caller. And as the season wore on, Grizzard reportedly had less freedom to run the offense his way.
Instead of leaning into the strengths of receivers like Mike Evans and rookie Jalen McMillan - both of whom returned late in the year - he was steered toward a more conservative, run-heavy approach.
Ultimately, Tampa Bay moved on, with head coach Todd Bowles opting to make a change at OC. But Grizzard didn’t stay on the market long, and now he finds himself in a situation that could be tailor-made for a bounce-back.
In Philadelphia, he’ll be working with one of the league’s most dynamic offensive cores: quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and the electric wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. That’s a lot of firepower, and while Mannion will be the one calling the shots, Grizzard’s role in designing and fine-tuning the passing attack will be crucial.
At just 35 years old, Grizzard still has plenty of runway in front of him. His time in Tampa Bay didn’t end the way he hoped, but the foundation he laid in 2024 showed what he can do when he’s in the right role. Now, with less pressure and more support, he has a chance to help elevate an Eagles offense that’s looking to reestablish itself as one of the league’s elite.
If things click in Philly, don’t be surprised if Grizzard’s name starts popping up again in OC conversations next offseason. For now, though, he’s got a fresh start and a talented roster - and that’s not a bad place to be.