Tampa Bay Buccaneers first-year Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen has guided his group to a good start in 2024; after seven weeks, Tampa Bay ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring, fifth in total yards, seventh in passing yards, eighth in rushing yards, first in third-down percentage and second in total first downs. However, something happened prior to Week Eight that is going to make it more challenging for the Bucs' offense to continue producing at that level.
That something, of course, was the twin injuries suffered on Monday night by top wideouts Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Godwin is out for the season with an ankle injury and Evans will likely miss at least three games with a hamstring issue. That will necessarily thrust such players as Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard into more central roles, and the Buccaneers' coaching staff believes strongly in the ability of all three to step up.
In the very early stages of that shift, though, Coen faces a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, he has to recognize that the young receivers (McMillan and Palmer) don't have the depth of the experience to easily handle a complicated mass of assignments. On the other hand, Coen has to make some changes on the fly to make sure he is playing to the strengths of his new front-line receivers, as opposed to those of Evans and Godwin. All of which is complicated by the fact that the Buccaneers just played their upcoming opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, three weeks ago, and a rematch that soon generally means a coordinator will change things up.
"You have to go through the process of, 'Ok, we have to simplify for guys that are going to be playing that haven't been asked to play as much,' while also everybody's saying, 'You need to scheme them up. You need to do all these things,'" said Coen. "It's a little bit of a challenge of, 'Ok, we've got to keep it fairly simple for the guys that are playing in new roles and new positions for a lot more playing time,' while also understanding that we've got to through some different wrinkles at them because we did just play them relatively not long ago. That's kind of the thing you're working through."
The situation is made even murkier by the fact that rookie running back Bucky Irving is dealing with a toe injury that has kept him out of the first two practices of the week. Irving has quickly become an important part of the Bucs' offense and a key source of big plays, and it seems reasonable that Coen would want to get his backs more involved in the passing game with Evans and Godwin out.
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 10/24/2024.
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Helmet during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Helmet during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Helmet during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Wide Receiver Tanner Knue #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Wide Receiver Marquez Callaway #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 and Safety Jordan Whitehead #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Bucco Bruce flags during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Safety Kaevon Merriweather #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Safety Jordan Whitehead #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Cornerback Tavierre Thomas #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Helmet during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Michael Pratt #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Bucco Bruce flag during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Cornerback Dallis Flowers #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Daniel Grzesiak #57 of The Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Daniel Grzesiak #57 of The Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 24, 2024 - Linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. #48 and Linebacker Kalen DeLoach #46 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"I think we feel good about obviously the balance in guys that we do have in the room to step up if he's not able to," said Coen of Irving and the Bucs' running back stable. "I'll defer to Todd [Bowles] on that one in terms of his availability but we're kind of having to prepare for multiple scenarios with who's in, who's out, what we have. Obviously, the key thing is trying to get those wideouts up to speed because we play a little bit in '11' personnel so that's what we're trying to do. What other personnel groupings we're able to utilize will be determined on who's available."
Coen used the phrase "a little bit" in terms of the Bucs' usage of three-receiver sets a little coyly. The Bucs have run 79.7% of their offense through '11' personnel packages so far this season, and even if circumstances have changed radically in their receiver room they're not likely to abandon the overall approach that has led to nearly 30 points a game. So, for example, the solution to the situation isn't necessarily to suddenly overload on '21' personnel (two backs, two receivers and one tight end) and start splitting Rachaad White or Irving out into the slot.
"That's not realistic so we need to be able to put as much on these players as we can without overloading them because we can't have new players playing or put other guys in positions that they haven't been playing and say, 'Go play fast,' on a short week," said Coen. "That's not really realistic to do. We're trying to find the balance between Trey Palmer, 'Shep,' 'Jmac,' Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett – whatever it is. Those guys hopefully being able to play – they've been playing those positions a lot longer than Rachaad has been playing slot so how much of that will definitely determine what we do."
Coen clearly had more work to do as an offensive coordinator this week than usual, and it was a short week to boot after the Monday Night Football game against Baltimore. Balancing the inexperience of some of the receivers who are remaining with the need to get creative against a familiar opponent surely isn't easy. But it's also the kind of challenge that coaches enjoy.
"Yeah, it brings new challenges, but also new opportunities and guys need to step up," he said. "We obviously need to get more creative in some different ways. What it looks like exactly, we're still trying to formulate and figure out so [it's] a great opportunity for some guys. It's hard, anytime you lose your two guys that have obviously produced a lot for you, so that's a challenge, but it's a great [chance] for some guys to get a new opportunity."
