Finally, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be getting superstar wide receiver Mike Evans, one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise, back from a broken collarbone injury. Evans has been as important as any Buccaneers player this season, and his imminent return in the coming weeks will be a boon to quarterback Baker Mayfield, as well as fellow wide receivers Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka.
But though the Bucs will be lifted up by the long awaited return of Evans, who has not been able to play since the Oct. 20 loss to the Detroit Lions, the legendary wideout isn't even the biggest miss that has impacted the Bucs this season.
That would be an individual who won't be coming back to save the day, because he is thriving elsewhere. Former offensive coordinator Liam Coen was such an important part of the Buccaneers team that went to the postseason last year, and he had a great connection with all the offensive players, especially Mayfield. It felt like the mercurial Mayfield was finally on the same wavelength with a coach, and the two were really clicking.
He is outperforming the Buccaneers, too
Instead of promoting the rising Coen to take over for the entirely underwhelming Todd Bowles, the Buccaneers foolishly stood there and watched as Coen took over shop with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Well, to nobody in Tampa Bay's surprise, Coen has hit it off perfectly with his charisma, coaching acumen, leadership skills, and status as a quarterback whisperer already putting Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in a much stronger position than they were last season.
In fact, the Jags are 8-4 and almost inexplicably winning the AFC South. Meanwhile, the Bucs are 7-5, so with a worse roster, Coen is outperforming Bowles and the Bucs a year after leaving for a new coaching gig.
The Bucs have watched some great offensive minds come and go over the years, and as Mayfield has to deal with Josh Grizzard's inconsistent play calling and Bowles as the uncharismatic overlord who can't help but get in the way of the team, Bucs fans can only rue the loss of Coen to the Jaguars even more, especially seeing that the Jags are literally playing better football than they are this season.
Now, the Buccaneers should almost certainly lock up a playoff spot this season by winning the NFC South, but the fact that it's only an "almost" is a problem in and of itself. Evans will boost the Bucs greatly, but there's no question that Coen is the biggest overall loss Tampa's had to swallow in 2025.