The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were heralded for their efforts on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, as Baker Mayfield's 41 touchdown passes and Bucky Irving's breakout was enough to help them win the division and get offensive coordinator Liam Coen some head coach buzz. Todd Bowles' defense, however, was another story.
Despite the fact Bowles, run game coordinator Kacy Rodgers, and pass game coordinator Larry Foote had some rough stretches, they are still held in high regard by the league. With the Detroit Lions having lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn after he became the New York Jets' head coach, Dan Campbell is banking on Bowles' guys to replace him.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Lions are expected to hire Rodgers as their new defensive line coach after Terrell Williams was named defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. Jordan Schultz is reporting that Foote is expected to interview with Detroit for their vacant DC role.
With the Bucs not having a nominal defensive coordinator due to Bowles' influence, Rodgers and Foote had as much say over this unit's construction as any other assistants. With both of their contracts up and the organization wanting to go in a different direction, Bowles needs to make some important hires this offseason.
Bucs expected to lose Kacy Rodgers, Larry Foote to Lions
The Buccaneers finished 16th in points allowed per game this season, which is their lowest finish across the league since 2019. The hydra of Bowles, Rodgers, and Foote had some impressive highs, but 2024 was a low point for them.
While the Bucs' defense was the weak spot of the team, they had one of the league's worst pass rushes all season long. There's only so much they could do with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as a top edge rusher. Injuries, especially in the secondary, knee-capped this team, though they played at a respectable level when they returned to full health.
Rodgers has been a defensive line coach or defensive coordinator in the NFL since 2005, earning praise throughout that time for his work. Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea owe parts of their development to his acumen. Foote, who played in the NFL for 12 seasons, has served as a linebackers coach since 2019 and was given the extra title of pass game coordinator in 2022.
The Lions seem to think so highly of Bowles and his personnel that they nabbed both of his top coaches. The pressure is on Bowles to replace them effectively.