What's done is done, but the week the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured is one for the books. That's for sure.
At one point thinking they would be retaining offensive coordinator Liam Coen, the Bucs then saw him change his mind and accept the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching gig in a wild turn of events.
Now, the Bucs are left trying to fill the same void for two offseasons in a row. And, quarterback Baker Mayfield will have yet another offensive coordinator.
This offense is good enough to continue to thrive, so long as the Bucs don't screw up this hire. But, Coen leaving might also have some ripple effects on the Bucs' current roster. Going into free agency, Tampa Bay has over 20 players coming off the books.
Could Coen end up stealing a few of them to come with him to Jacksonville?
Liam Coen could take three specific starters with him to the Jaguars
Christ Godwin, WR
This one seems far too obvious for multiple reasons. Before enduring a season-ending injury last season, Chris Godwin was one of the most efficient wide receivers in football. He was having a terrific year. When he went down, the Bucs certainly felt it.
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However, as the season wore on, rookie Jalen McMillan stood out more and more in his limited reps, giving the Bucs hope he could step into the no. 2 role in 2025. With Godwin entering free agency, either the Bucs and Godwin agree on some discount to keep him around, or he cashes in elsewhere.
Assuming health is not a problem, Godwin following Coen would make a ton of sense. He'd give Brian Thomas Jr. a consistent counterpart and open up that offense in a significant way.
Mike Edwards, S
Jacksonville could be in the market for a safety, this offseason, and although Mike Edwards only made two starts in 2024, he was still a regular part of the defense. Edwards has started 30 games since coming into the league back in 2019 and might be an option for a Jaguars defense that's set to see Andre Cisco become a free agent.
Ben Bredeson, G
Finally, Tampa Bay might also see a starter poached from their offensive line. Ben Bredeson might have been an average interior lineman last year, but he did play over 1,100 snaps and started every game in 2024 for the Bucs.
Jacksonville is going to see a starting guard of their own enter free agency in Brandon Scherff, who is seven years older than Bredeson. If the Jags wanted to get a little younger and go a somewhat-cheaper route, then Bredeson makes some sense to follow Coen.