1. The hiring Bruce Arians and his star-studded staff
Without a doubt, the best move made by the Buccaneers this offseason was landing head coach Bruce Arians after firing Dirk Koetter. Not only does Arians bring a ton of experience and playoff prowess to Tampa Bay, but he also brings a loaded coaching staff.
While Bowles’ time in New York as the head coach of the Jets may not have worked out as planned, he has a history of fielding gritty defenses determined to stand out by their toughness. With all of the young pieces now on the defensive side of the ball for the Buccaneers, there is not a better coach to mold them than Bowles.
Offensively, Arians entrusted the play calling duties to a protege of his, Byron Leftwich. The former NFL quarterback, who even spent time in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers, has been working his way up to this moment of becoming a full time offensive coordinator in the big leagues. Leftwich called plays in Arizona last year after the firing of Mike McCoy, but this is his first opportunity as a full time coordinator.
Leftwich could potentially be the head coach in waiting as the Buccaneers did not hire a 60 year old head coach without a transition plan in place. Due to the immediate and long term impact the hire of Arians and his staff could bring to Tampa Bay, this ranks as the best move made by the Buccaneers this offseason.